Friday's Best NCAAB Bets
By Covers.com
Cincinnati Bearcats at Georgia Bulldogs (-1, 119.5)
It has not been a smooth start to the season for Cincinnati, but the Bearcats hope to build off Tuesday’s victory over Miami (Ohio) when they travel to Georgia on Friday.
Cincinnati, ranked 21st in the nation to start the season, already has lost to Presbyterian and Marshall, and shook off sluggish performances against Jacksonville State and Miami. The Bearcats led by one point with 4:52 remaining Tuesday before posting a 56-47 victory over Miami.
Since winning its first three games, the Bulldogs have lost three of their past four. In Monday’s 70-68 loss to Colorado, Georgia blew a 12-point first-half lead and suffered through a tough shooting night.
The Bulldogs were not competitive in their other two losses, both against ranked teams: then No. 18 California (70-46) and then No. 12 Xavier (70-56, but trailed by 36 in the second half).
Pick: Cincinnati +1
Auburn Tigers at Seton Hall Pirates (-9, 133.5)
It’s not the marquee matchup of the Big East/SEC Championship, but Seton Hall and Auburn may have more to lose than any of their more high-profile conference mates.
Both schools have gotten off to strong starts in the pre-conference slate, slowly ramping up expectations and bringing up postseason possibilities. Both could use another win against major-conference competition.
The Tigers have one of the weaker non-conference schedules but at least they have cruised through it so far, winning their four games by an average of 17.3 points. The Pirates have looked like a team that can make some noise in the loaded Big East. Seton Hall is spreading the scoring between Jordan Theodore, Herb Pope and Fuquan Edwin and reached the Championship Game of the Charleston Classic earlier this month.
Pick: Over 133.5
SEC-Big East Challenge: Friday's Betting Preview
By Covers.com
Florida Gators at Syracuse Orange (-6, 147)
THE STORY: Embattled Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim received a standing ovation from the crowd at the Carrier Dome on Tuesday despite the revelations in the media regarding former assistant coach Bernie Fine. Of course, it’s always easier to cheer when your team is on the way to a 36-point win. The third-ranked Orange will face a much stiffer test on Friday when they welcome No. 9 Florida to town on Friday as part of the Big East/SEC Challenge. The Gators are celebrating coach Billy Donavan’s 400th career victory, earned earlier in the week when Florida rolled over Stetson. That puts Donovan only 462 behind Boeheim, who has one of his most talented teams this season. Under all of the other headlines is the on-court product, which features reigning Big East Player of the Week Kris Joseph.
ABOUT FLORIDA (5-1): The Gators will face their second No. 3 team already this season after falling to then-No. 3 Ohio State, 81-74, on Nov. 15. Florida has strong veteran leadership in senior guard Erving Walker, who averages 13.7 points and 5.3 assists, and junior Kenny Boynton, who paces the team with 18.5 points. Joining those two has been freshman Bradley Beal, who is making himself right at home in Donovan’s offense. Beal posted his second career double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds in the win over Stetson while burying five 3-pointers.
ABOUT SYRACUSE (7-0): Boeheim stated that his team would not be distracted by news on campus and he was right, at least on Tuesday, when they pummeled Eastern Michigan, 84-48. The Orange have faced a pair of major-conference teams in Virginia Tech and Stanford but will be taking a big step up in competition with Florida. Syracuse, which returned most of its major pieces from last season, leans on Joseph and senior point guard Scoop Jardine, who posted seven assists against Eastern Michigan. The veteran leadership is allowing freshman forward Rakeem Christmas to ease his way into the offense.
TRENDS:
- Florida is 7-2 against the spread in its last nine against the Big East.
- Syracuse is 7-1 against the spread in its last eight non-conference games.
- Florida has played over in five straight road games.
TIP-INS:
1. Dion Waiters is averaging 11.9 points off the bench for the Orange.
2. Florida has outrebounded its opponent in each of its first six games.
3. Syracuse won the last meeting, 85-73, on Dec. 10, 2009.
Vanderbilt Commodores at Louisville Cardinals (-8.5, 134)
THE STORY: Vanderbilt plays its second straight game against a ranked opponent, traveling to face No. 6 Louisville on Friday night at the KFC Yum! Center. The Commodores dropped to No. 19 in the coaches’ poll after an overtime loss to 11th-ranked Xavier on Monday. Louisville has yet to lose despite a laundry list of injuries to key personnel. This marks Louisville’s first game of the season against another nationally-ranked team, however. Beating Vanderbilt would give Louisville a 7-0 start in consecutive years, a program first.
ABOUT VANDERBILT (5-2): The Commodores definitely are missing star C Festus Ezeli, who’s sidelined for at least another two weeks recuperating from a sprained knee. Vandy also indicated some shortcomings on the perimeter in an 82-70 loss to the Musketeers; namely, finding a guard who can handle the ball in the face of pressure and play lockdown defense when the Commodores need it. Vanderbilt does boast the top overall scorer in the SEC; John Jenkins averages 20.2 points.
ABOUT LOUISVILLE (6-0): The Cardinals have battled the injury bug all season long. Currently, perimeter threat Mike Marra (knee) and freshman swingman Wayne Blackshear (shoulder) are sidelined along with forward Stephen Van Treese (knee). Other key guys like PG Peyton Silva are limited right now. As a result, Louisville has backed off its intensity in practice and is playing at a slower pace to safeguard against more injuries to an already thin team. The Cardinals are off to their second consecutive 6-0 start, something that hasn’t happened for the program since the 1954-55 and 1955-56 seasons.
TRENDS:
- Louisville has covered in eight of its last 11 home games.
- Vanderbilt is 2-7-1 against the spread in its last 10 overall.
- Six of Louisville's last seven have played under the total.
TIP-INS:
1. This marks the first true road game of the season for Vanderbilt. The Commodores’ only two prior games away from home came on a neutral court in East Rutherford, N.J., as Vandy participated in and won the LegendCity Tickets Classic.
2. Vanderbilt is shooting 65.8 percent from the free-throw line as a team. The Commodores haven’t shot below 70 percent at the stripe in a season since the 2005-06 campaign.
3. Beating Louisville at home is not easy these days. The Cardinals have won 14 straight and 24 of the past 26 at the KFC Yum! Center, extending both streaks with a 79-66 win over Long Beach State on Monday.
NCAAB Preview
Syracuse players seem unaffected by legal drama unfolding off the court; Orange are 7-0, beating Stanford by 6, Va Tech by 11 in NYC; none of their other five victims are ranked higher than #205. Florida is 5-1, losing by 7 at Ohio State; none of its victims are ranked higher than #186. Gators are shooting 42.8% from arc, leading country in offensive efficiency. SEC road underdogs of 6 or less points are 2-6 vs spread.
First road game for disappointing Cincinnati team that is 4-2, losing at home to #227 Presbyterian and in OT to #73 Marshall; none of teams they've beaten are ranked higher than #149. Bearcats are shooting 58.4% from foul line. Georgia lost three of last four games, losing to two top 30 teams and by a hoop at Colorado. Big East road favorites of 5 or less points are 7-5 vs spread; SEC underdogs of 5 or less points are 5-1.
Louisville is 6-0, but best team they've beaten is #58 Long Beach State; Cardinals are holding teams to 25.8% from arc, 36.9% on 2-point shots. First road game for Vanderbilt squad that lost at home to Cleveland State by 13 and Xavier (by 12 in OT), in Ezeli's first game back from 6-game suspension; they beat Oregon State/ NC State on neutral floors. Cards are #3 in country in defensive efficiency- this is their toughest game yet.
First road game for Auburn team that is 4-0 playing 2nd-easiest schedule so far; they haven't beaten anyone ranked higher than #275. Seton Hall has two seniors, no juniors; they're one of youngest teams in country-- Pirates are 5-1, with two top 100 wins and a 7-point loss to unbeaten Northwestern on a neutral floor. Big East single digit home favorites are 3-6 vs spread. SEC road dogs of 12 or less points are 8-3 vs spread.
Washington is 4-1, beating four chumps at home, losing at Saint Louis by 13 in game they trailed by 25 at half; Huskies are making 46% from arc, 59% from foul line- go figure. Nevada is 4-3, 0-3 vs top 100 teams, losing by 22-4-21 points, losing to Missouri State at home. Pac-12 road favorites are 7-3 vs spread. WAC underdogs are 3-9 against spread, 0-1 at home. Wolf Pack lost 90-60 at Washington in LY's meeting.
Loyola Marymount is 4-2, upsetting UCLA/Saint Louis, losing to two pretty good teams, Middle Tennessee/Harvard; Lions won by 3ot/20 in two games against teams they played ranked lower than #107. Columbia is 1-4 vs D-I teams; they haven't scored 60 points or lost by more than 14 to a D-I opponent, losing by 13 at UConn. WCC home favorites of 12 or less points are 6-4. Ivy League single digit road dogs are 5-2.
Fairfield won last four games vs Niagara by average score of 69-59, but they've lost five of last seven visits here, winning 57-49 LY. Eagles could be the worst shooting team in America, making 22.7% behind arc so far this year, after making only 27.5% LY. Niagara is 3-3, 1-3 vs teams in top 200, but they've beaten Central Connecticut, Sam Houston State in only home games. Stags are 3-4, 3-1 against teams not in the top 100; they lost their only true road game, by 10 at Minnesota.
Rider won four in row, eight of last nine games vs Manhattan, taking last eight series games played here, with four of eight by 10+ points. Four of last seven series wins were by 3 or less points. Rider is 1-6 this season, with only win by hoop over #308 Howard. #232 Manhattan is 3-4 with three straight losses; two of its wins are by hoop, the third vs perennial doormat NJIT. Jaspers turn ball over 25.5% of their possessions.
Home side won five of last six Iona-Canisius games; Gaels lost last two visits here, by 12-2 points, but Iona is improved this year with Arizona transfer Jones at guard- they're 5-1, losing to Purdue by a point, with a 26-point win over Maryland- they scored 89+ points in every game so far. First game in 10 days, home opener for Canisius squad that lost by 25 at UNLV, then came home and lost by 35 at decent Buffalo team.
Sacramento State is 2-3 vs D-I teams, losing by 11 at Washington State, by 26 at Cal Poly in last game. Oklahoma is off to promising 4-1 start, but productive 6th man Newell just left team to transfer to Wake Forest; he was scoring 13.5 ppg, so it will hurt. Sooners beat Idaho State of Big Sky by 4 in opener. Big Sky double digit road underdogs are 8-4 against spread. Big X home favorites are 9-11, 7-7 if laying double digits.
LA SIERRA vs. NORTH TEXAS
No trends available
North Texas is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
FLORIDA vs. SYRACUSE
Florida is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Florida's last 5 games on the road
Syracuse is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Syracuse is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
CINCINNATI vs. GEORGIA
Cincinnati is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Cincinnati's last 17 games on the road
Georgia is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home
FAIRFIELD vs. NIAGARA
Fairfield is 11-4 SU in its last 15 games on the road
Fairfield is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Niagara
Niagara is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games at home
Niagara is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Fairfield
IONA vs. CANISIUS
Iona is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Iona's last 10 games on the road
Canisius is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Canisius is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
MANHATTAN vs. RIDER
Manhattan is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Manhattan's last 5 games on the road
Rider is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games
Rider is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Manhattan
SACRAMENTO STATE vs. OKLAHOMA
Sacramento State is 2-19 SU in its last 21 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Sacramento State's last 12 games on the road
Oklahoma is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Oklahoma is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
MISS VALLEY STATE vs. NORTHWESTERN
No trends available
Northwestern is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Northwestern is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
NORTHWESTERN STATE vs. MISSOURI
No trends available
Missouri is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Missouri is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
VANDERBILT vs. LOUISVILLE
Vanderbilt is 6-1-1 ATS in its last 8 games on the road
Vanderbilt is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Louisville is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Louisville is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
AUBURN vs. SETON HALL
Auburn is 2-15 SU in its last 17 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 12 of Auburn's last 18 games on the road
Seton Hall is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Seton Hall is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
COLUMBIA vs. LOYOLA MARYMOUNT
Columbia is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Loyola Marymount is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Loyola Marymount is 7-15 SU in its last 22 games
WASHINGTON vs. NEVADA
Washington is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games on the road
Nevada is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Nevada is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
FLORIDA (5 - 1) at SYRACUSE (7 - 0) - 12/2/2011, 6:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SYRACUSE is 18-8 ATS (+9.2 Units) after scoring 80 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
FLORIDA is 13-5 ATS (+7.5 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
SYRACUSE is 1-0 against the spread versus FLORIDA over the last 3 seasons
SYRACUSE is 1-0 straight up against FLORIDA 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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CINCINNATI (4 - 2) at GEORGIA (4 - 3) - 12/2/2011, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CINCINNATI is 6-16 ATS (-11.6 Units) when the total is 120 to 129.5 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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VANDERBILT (5 - 2) at LOUISVILLE (6 - 0) - 12/2/2011, 8:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
VANDERBILT is 8-22 ATS (-16.2 Units) as a road underdog of 6.5 to 9 points since 1997.
LOUISVILLE is 23-13 ATS (+8.7 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
LOUISVILLE is 23-13 ATS (+8.7 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
LOUISVILLE is 19-10 ATS (+8.0 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
VANDERBILT is 14-5 ATS (+8.5 Units) in road games over the last 3 seasons.
VANDERBILT is 14-5 ATS (+8.5 Units) in road lined 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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AUBURN (4 - 0) at SETON HALL (5 - 1) - 12/2/2011, 9:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SETON HALL is 7-17 ATS (-11.7 Units) versus good defensive teams - allowing <=64 points/game 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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WASHINGTON (4 - 1) at NEVADA (4 - 3) - 12/2/2011, 11:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) in December games over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 1-0 against the spread versus NEVADA over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON is 1-0 straight up against NEVADA 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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COLUMBIA (2 - 4) at LOYOLA-MARYMOUNT (4 - 2) - 12/2/2011, 10:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
COLUMBIA is 78-50 ATS (+23.0 Units) in road games since 1997.
COLUMBIA is 78-50 ATS (+23.0 Units) in road lined games since 1997.
COLUMBIA is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) in road games in non-conference games over the last 3 seasons.
COLUMBIA is 35-17 ATS (+16.3 Units) in road games after allowing 60 points or less since 1997.
LOYOLA-MARYMOUNT is 162-203 ATS (-61.3 Units) in all games since 1997.
LOYOLA-MARYMOUNT is 162-203 ATS (-61.3 Units) in all lined games since 1997.
LOYOLA-MARYMOUNT is 22-39 ATS (-20.9 Units) when the total is 130 to 139.5 since 1997.
LOYOLA-MARYMOUNT is 66-91 ATS (-34.1 Units) after a non-conference game since 1997.
LOYOLA-MARYMOUNT is 55-79 ATS (-31.9 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.
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FAIRFIELD (3 - 4) at NIAGARA (3 - 3) - 12/2/2011, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
FAIRFIELD is 16-6 ATS (+9.4 Units) in road games against conference opponents over the last 3 seasons.
NIAGARA is 7-18 ATS (-12.8 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
FAIRFIELD is 3-2 against the spread versus NIAGARA over the last 3 seasons
FAIRFIELD is 4-1 straight up against NIAGARA over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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MANHATTAN (3 - 4) at RIDER (1 - 6) - 12/2/2011, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MANHATTAN is 2-11 ATS (-10.1 Units) in a road game where the total is 140 to 144.5 since 1997.
RIDER is 55-85 ATS (-38.5 Units) as a favorite since 1997.
RIDER is 5-24 ATS (-21.4 Units) as a home favorite of 3.5 to 6 points since 1997.
RIDER is 1-12 ATS (-12.2 Units) in all home games over the last 2 seasons.
RIDER is 1-12 ATS (-12.2 Units) in home lined games over the last 2 seasons.
RIDER is 0-9 ATS (-9.9 Units) in home games against conference opponents over the last 2 seasons.
RIDER is 3-11 ATS (-9.1 Units) on Friday nights over the last 3 seasons.
RIDER is 7-23 ATS (-18.3 Units) in home games after a non-conference game since 1997.
RIDER is 22-40 ATS (-22.0 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
RIDER is 2-2 against the spread versus MANHATTAN over the last 3 seasons
RIDER is 4-0 straight up against MANHATTAN 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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IONA (4 - 1) at CANISIUS (1 - 3) - 12/2/2011, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CANISIUS is 24-11 ATS (+11.9 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
CANISIUS is 3-1 against the spread versus IONA over the last 3 seasons
CANISIUS is 2-2 straight up against IONA 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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SACRAMENTO ST (3 - 3) at OKLAHOMA (4 - 1) - 12/2/2011, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SACRAMENTO ST is 32-19 ATS (+11.1 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
SACRAMENTO ST is 32-19 ATS (+11.1 Units) in all lined games over the last 3 seasons.
OKLAHOMA is 12-25 ATS (-15.5 Units) after allowing 80 points or more since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
SACRAMENTO ST is 1-0 against the spread versus OKLAHOMA over the last 3 seasons
OKLAHOMA is 1-0 straight up against SACRAMENTO ST over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
Friday's Top Trends
RIDER is 5-24 ATS as home favorite of 3.5 to 6 points
GEORGIA is 13-2 ATS off a road loss
COLUMBIA is 17-3 ATS Away after allowing 60 pts or BB games
SETON HALL is 1-11 ATS after having won 3 of their last 4 games
CANISUS is 0-7 ATS off BB road games
LOUISVILLE is 4-16 ATS off an Over
FLORIDA is 6-0 ATS as a road underdog
VANDERBILT is 14-5 ATS in road games
SETON HALL is 8-0 Under as a home favorite or pick
WASHINGTON is 6-0 ATS in December