College Basketball Knowledge
St Mary's lost as 13-point home favorite to Northern Arizona Tuesday, now they head east to play 8-1 St John's squad whose only loss was by 7 at home to Gonzaga of WCC. Gaels lost two of their ast three games but won in OT at Creighton in its only road game. Red Storm are holding teams to 26.5% from arc, but Opekba is suspended for this game.
Northern Illinois is 4-3 vs #336 schedule; 4-0 at home, 0-3 on road, with losses by 21-11-4 points; Huskies are turning ball over 25.3% of time. Dartmouth is 4-5 but won three of last four games; they're making 40% of 3-pointers but turn ball over 21.1% of time- three of their five losses are against teams ranked #239 or lower.
Clemson won five of last six games, is 6-3 vs schedule #326; they beat South Carolina by 9-14 points last two years, are 8-2 in last ten games vs their in-state rival. Tigers are making just 29% inside arc. Gamecocks are playing for first time in 13 days; they're 5-3, winning last three games, all by 13+ points. Carolina is holding teams 37.9% inside the arc.
UTEP is 5-3, with losses by 3-3-7 points, all vs teams in top 100; game has been sold out for long time, this could be dicey night for 11-0 Arizona team that is playing first true road game- they won three games in Maui on neutral court. Wildcats have senior PG, are shooting 56% inside arc. Miners turn ball over 20.2% of time- they've won all four home games.
South Dakota State won last five games, last two by total of five points; they won in OT last night, rallying back from down 4 with 1:56 left, as four Jackrabbits played 36+ minutes. Bakersfield is 1-9 with only win vs 0-8 Delaware; Roadrunners turn ball over 22.8% of time, make just 28% from arc-- they lost last five games by a total of only twelve points.
Utah State is 5-4, winning last two games by total of four points; Aggies are 3-1 at home, 3-0 vs teams outside top 200, winning by 11-1-3 points. USU played only two guys more than 26:00 last nite. Idaho State lost in OT last night, with three guys playing 38+ minutes-- they're 1-3 in true road games, losing by 24-16-12 points-- only win is at Grand Canyon.
Eastern Kentucky lost four of its last five games after losing last game at home to East Tennessee; they're #2 in country, forcing turnovers 29.1% of time, but their eFG% is #337 in country, so if you protect ball you'll score against them- they're 0-2 vs top 100 teams, losing by 14-33 points. Miami is 9-1, with three of last four wins by 12 or less points.
Tennessee beat Tennessee Tech LY 84-63, game that was 41-40 at half; Vols are 4-4 vs #24 schedule, losing at NC State two nights ago- they're 3-0 at home, winning by 12-1-12 points. Tennessee forces turnovers 23% of time. Tennessee Tech is 4-4 vs schedule #237, losing to Alabama by 12 in its only game vs SEC team or a top 100 opponent.
Niagara lost its last five games with last four losses by 13+ points; they turn ball over 21.1% of time, have 41.3 eFG% (#335)- their only win is by hoop over MAAC rival St Peter's. Eagles were 7-26 LY but won by 11 over Buffalo, ending 4-game skid vs Bulls. Buffalo won five of last six games, beating Canisius of MAAC by 15 three weeks ago.
Loyola Chi is 5-2 vs D-I teams with only one win vs team ranked higher than #277; they won by 14 at UTSA, only D-I team Southern Utah beat (93-92). Loyola's last three wins are all vs teams ranked #302 or lower. Thunderbirds turn ball over 23.5% of time; they're 2-5 this season after a 2-27 disaster LY- they are making 39.5% of 3-pointers (#32 in US).
Middle Tennessee is 5-5 after losing by 24 at Oklahoma State Tuesday, their 4th loss in last six games; Blue Raiders have played good schedule, are making just 39.4% inside arc. Chattanooga is 4-5 vs D-I teams with only top 200 win over #131 Coastal Carolina. Mocs are 1-4 on road with only win at #338 Citadel. First home game for MTSU since Nov 25.
Colorado State is 10-0 but PG Bejarano got hurt in last game is ? for this one, at Denver squad that is 4-1 at home, with only loss to No Iowa by 10. Rams' only road win was by hoop at Colorado; they're making 38.6% from arc- they're a top 10 team in experience but would want to know if Bejarano is before backing State here. Denver beat Rams by 10 LY in Fort Collins; Eustachy doesn't have great record against them.
Eastern Washington is playing third road game in six nights; they're 8-3 after getting waxed at Sam Houston State after they lost at Washington in game they led by 11 at half. Eagles have wins at Indiana/San Francisco but they could be little overscheduled here. Cal has #13 eFG%- they are 9-1, winning last six games-- they haven't played since Saturday.
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