Monday's Best NCAAB Bets
By Covers.com
Texas A&M Aggies at Kansas Jayhawks (-18, 124.5)
Preseason prognostications suggested this would be a matchup of the Big 12's top two teams.
Texas A&M and Kansas were projected as co-favorites in the preseason coaches poll, but the Aggies and the seventh-ranked Jayhawks are headed in opposite directions. Kansas — which has won or shared seven straight league titles — is off to a 6-0 conference start and is again in the driver’s seat, while Texas A&M is 2-4, including an 0-3 mark on the road.
Entering this season, coach Bill Self and the Jayhawks knew they’d need a ton of production out of senior guard Tyshawn Taylor if they were to continue their impressive run in the Big 12. And in the last three games, Taylor has delivered.
He’s scored 78 points in that stretch, including 22 in a 69-66 victory at Texas on Saturday. Taylor made a slew of clutch plays with the game on the line, saying afterward: “Coach says big-time players make big-time plays, and that’s what I was thinking about.”
Pick: Over
Iona Gaels at Siena Saints (9.5, 150)
The Siena Saints finally had enough healthy players to run a solid practice on the weekend.
“Today was the best practice maybe we’ve had all year,” coach Mitch Buonaguro told reporters. “It was spirited, a lot of bodies.”
The Saints had been forced to run half-court practices recently with sophomores Trenity Burdine and Rakeem Brookins ailing. Both were able to take part in last weekend’s practice but aren’t ready for game action yet.
Siena will have trouble keeping up with Iona’s offense, but 9.5 points seems like a lot here. We’ll take a shot with the Saints.
Pick: Saints
What Bettors Need to Know: Syracuse at Cincinnati
By Covers.com
Syracuse Orange at Cincinnati Bearcats (4, 135)
THE STORY: No. 1 Syracuse showed plenty of weaknesses in its first loss Saturday. Now it must try to show resiliency as it enters another hostile environment at Cincinnati. Syracuse’s school-best 20-game win streak was snapped by a disciplined Notre Dame team that caught fire from behind the 3-point arc. The Orange’s 2-3 zone was frail on the back line with the loss of 7-footer Fab Melo, who will miss Monday’s game as well due to reported academic issues. Cincinnati is coming off a loss of its own, but features four scorers in double figures and plays smart with the ball, much like Notre Dame. The Bearcats average just 10.5 turnovers per game, fewest in the Big East.
THE LINE: Oddsmakers opened with Cincinnati set as a 4-point home underdog with a 135-point total.
ABOUT SYRACUSE (20-1, 7-1 Big East): Notre Dame held Syracuse to a season-low in field-goal percentage (34.0) and field goals made (18), but perhaps the most embarrassing aspect of the 67-58 loss was the lack of leadership. Neither senior point guard Scoop Jardine nor leading scorer Kris Joseph was very vocal during the second half, as the Orange looked disorganized on both ends and settled for contested 3-pointers. Both players need to step up their scoring against the Bearcats, whom the Orange defeated 67-52 at home last season. However, Syracuse used a 7-for-8 performance from big man Rick Jackson in that contest. Jackson, of course, has graduated so the loss of Fab Melo really hurts in this matchup. Syracuse does not have an interior scorer to take advantage on the blocks.
ABOUT CINCINNATI (15-5, 5-2 Big East): The Bearcats won't be intimidated by Syracuse, as they've won their past three games against ranked teams – all on the road. Cincinnati, off to its best start in Big East play since joining the conference in 2005-06, can jump into first place with a victory Monday night. It has perhaps the most balanced scoring Syracuse will face all season; four players reached double figures in a 77-74 overtime loss to West Virginia on Saturday. Big man Yancy Gates, who went just 1 of 6 in last year’s meeting, could see a lot of favorable looks underneath against a soft interior that now features freshman Rakeem Christmas instead of Fab Melo.
TRENDS:
-Syracuse is 6-1 against the spread in its last seven road games.
- Cincinnati is 1-6 against the spread in its last seven home games.
-The over is 4-0 in Cincinnati's last four overall.
TIP-INS
1. Syracuse builds momentum by takeaways in the backcourt. Cincinnati point guard Cashmere Wright, though, has just 17 turnovers in his last 11 games.
2. Like the Irish, the Bearcats can be lethal from long range. They rank second in the conference in 3-point shooting percentage (36.8) and lead in made 3-pointers (162).
3. Syracuse leads the all-time series 6-2 and has won three straight over Cincinnati.
NCAAB Preview
Northeastern is 4-5 in its last nine games with Old Dominion, 1-3 in last four visits here, with losses by 6-12-15 (49-34 LY) points; Huskies are 6-2 in last eight games, winning three of four on CAA road. Both teams had 4-game win streak snapped Saturday. Monarchs are 10-1 this season against teams ranked below #131. Northeatern turn ball over on 23.9% of possessions (#309 in country). CAA single digit home faves are 6-10 against the spread this season.
Syracuse is still missing C Melo, whose presence in middle made Orange 2-3 zone defense lot more effective; Notre Dame shot 50% from floor and was +13 on boards in upsetting Syracuse. Cincinnati lost last three games with Orange by 24-17-15 points but Bearcats are 5-2 in Big East, with two losses by combined total of five points- they can tie for first in Big East here. Big East home underdogs of 7 or less points are 6-8 vs spread. Curious to see how Syracuse responds to its first loss.
Home side won last seven Drexel-Wm&Mary games, with Dragons on short end of last four visits here, by 7-1-1-14 points. Dragons won six in row, 12 of last 13 games; they hold teams to 26% behind arc, second in country. Tribe is 3-16 vs D-I teams, losing last two games by total of 3 points, dropping last game in OT at VCU, as 20-point dogs. Drexel has big game with Georgia State on deck Wednesday. CAA home underdogs are 5-13 vs spread, 1-4 if they're getting more than five points.
Hofstra lost its last seven games with VCU, losing last six visits here, by 12-12-23-10-8-15 points. Pride got first CAA win in eight tries at JMU Saturday; they're 1-3 on CAA road, losing by 1-6-8 points. Only one of its seven CAA losses is by more than 8 points. CAA double digit home favorites are 9-4 against the spread. Rams won last four games, three by 13+ points; they're 12-2 in last 14 games overall. VCU won first meeting this season, 80-63 (-7) on Long Island.
James Madison lost three of last four games with Georgia State, with all three losses by 5 or less points; Dukes are 0-3 vs top 100 teams, losing by 9-20-6 points. JMU is 2-6 in conference, but both wins came on the road (0-4 at home), with road losses by 7-20 points. Georgia State lost couple road games last week; they're 4-0 in CAA home games, winning by 32-14-14-15 points. CAA double digit home favorites are 9-4 against the spread. State has big game with Drexel looming in two nights.
Towson State lost its last 39 games overall, they're 0-4 on CAA road so far this season, losing by 33-37-15-12 points. Tigers are actually 5-2 in last seven games with Delaware, losing by 3-10 points in LY's meetings. CAA home favorites of 15+ points are 3-4 vs spread. Delaware lost six of last nine games, but they did upset Georgia State Saturday; they force least turnovers of anyone in country. Six of Towson's last ten losses are by 16+ points.
NC-Wilmington lost its last seven games with George Mason, losing last three visits here by 41-13-15 points; Seahawks lost three of their last four games- three of their four CAA losses are by 14+ points. Patriots won three in row, eight of last nine games; they're 4-0 at home in CAA, with home wins by 14-3-26-12 points. CAA double digit home favorites are 9-4 against the spread. Mason scored average of 83.3 ppg last three games, after scoring average of 57 ppg the four games before that.
Texas A&M lost six in row, nine of last ten games with Kansas, losing last four visits here, by 5-3-20-18 points. Aggies lost six of last eight vs D-I opponents, losing all three conference road tilts by 9-10-19 points- they're down a bit from level they were at under Turgeon. Big X double digit home favorites are 5-6 against the spread. Jayhawks won last nine games, winning first three Big X home games by 18-9-18 points. So far in league play, only one of their six wins is by more than 18 points.
LMU lost seven of last nine games with Santa Clara, losing three times to Broncos LY, by 7-6(2ot)-8 points; Lions lost three of last four here, with only win two years ago. LMU is 11-8 with five losses to teams in top 40, but they've also lost to Columbia/Morgan State; they are first WCC team to win at BYU and also upset Saint Louis, so they're hard to figure. WCC home underdogs are 6-5-1 vs spread, 3-2 if spread was less than five points. Santa Clara allowed 85.5 ppg in losing last six games.
Iona clubbed Siena 95-59 in Madison Square Garden in first meeting this year, its third straight series win (first two by 4-30). Gaels lost five in a row in Albany, by 1-5-1-20-6 points; they're 7-1 in MAAC, with every win by 12+ points (only loss was at home to Manhattan). MAAC home underdogs are 4-6 against the spread. Shorthanded Siena scored 56 ppg in losing last two games, by 19-11 points; they're basically playing only six guys, with a 7th guy getting a minute or two, but thats it.
Home side won six of last seven Citadel-Georgia Southern games, with Bulldogs seven of last eight visits here, losing by 28-34-28-19-30-3-12 points. Southern Conference home favorites are 21-13 vs spread, 7-3 if laying double digits. Citadel is 1-6 in SoCon, with only one loss by less than 15 points, and that was to an awful NC-Greensboro team. Eagles are 2-3 in last five games, with wins by 5-6 points; they're 4-0 at home in conference, with only one win by more than eight points.
NORTHEASTERN (9 - 9) at OLD DOMINION (11 - 9)
Top Trends for this game.
NORTHEASTERN is 0-6 ATS (-6.6 Units) after scoring 60 points or less this season.
OLD DOMINION is 7-0 ATS (+7.0 Units) off a loss against a conference rival over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
OLD DOMINION is 2-1 against the spread versus NORTHEASTERN over the last 3 seasons
OLD DOMINION is 2-1 straight up against NORTHEASTERN over the last 3 seasons
2 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
SYRACUSE (20 - 1) at CINCINNATI (15 - 5)
Top Trends for this game.
SYRACUSE is 58-82 ATS (-32.2 Units) versus good defensive teams - allowing <=64 points/game since 1997.
SYRACUSE is 110-81 ATS (+20.9 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 10-22 ATS (-14.2 Units) in all home games over the last 3 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 10-22 ATS (-14.2 Units) in home lined games over the last 3 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 5-15 ATS (-11.5 Units) in home games against conference opponents over the last 3 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 27-49 ATS (-26.9 Units) versus good defensive teams - allowing <=64 points/game after 15+ games since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
SYRACUSE is 2-0 against the spread versus CINCINNATI over the last 3 seasons
SYRACUSE is 2-0 straight up against CINCINNATI over the last 3 seasons
2 of 2 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
DREXEL (14 - 5) at WM & MARY (4 - 16)
Top Trends for this game.
DREXEL is 7-1 ATS (+5.9 Units) after a conference game this season.
WM & MARY is 102-135 ATS (-46.5 Units) after a conference game since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
WM & MARY is 3-1 against the spread versus DREXEL over the last 3 seasons
WM & MARY is 3-1 straight up against DREXEL over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
HOFSTRA (7 - 13) at VA COMMONWEALTH (15 - 5)
Top Trends for this game.
HOFSTRA is 18-6 ATS (+11.4 Units) in road games against conference opponents over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
VA COMMONWEALTH is 3-0 against the spread versus HOFSTRA over the last 3 seasons
VA COMMONWEALTH is 3-0 straight up against HOFSTRA over the last 3 seasons
3 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
JAMES MADISON (9 - 10) at GEORGIA ST (13 - 6)
Top Trends for this game.
GEORGIA ST is 13-5 ATS (+7.5 Units) in all home games over the last 2 seasons.
GEORGIA ST is 13-5 ATS (+7.5 Units) in home lined games over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
GEORGIA ST is 3-1 against the spread versus JAMES MADISON over the last 3 seasons
GEORGIA ST is 3-1 straight up against JAMES MADISON over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
TOWSON ST (0 - 20) at DELAWARE (8 - 10)
Top Trends for this game.
DELAWARE is 5-14 ATS (-10.4 Units) in home games after a conference game over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
DELAWARE is 2-2 against the spread versus TOWSON ST over the last 3 seasons
DELAWARE is 2-2 straight up against TOWSON ST over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
UNC-WILMINGTON (8 - 10) at GEORGE MASON (15 - 5)
Top Trends for this game.
UNC-WILMINGTON is 16-28 ATS (-14.8 Units) against conference opponents over the last 3 seasons.
GEORGE MASON is 31-19 ATS (+10.1 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
GEORGE MASON is 31-19 ATS (+10.1 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
GEORGE MASON is 25-13 ATS (+10.7 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
GEORGE MASON is 98-71 ATS (+19.9 Units) in all home games since 1997.
GEORGE MASON is 98-71 ATS (+19.9 Units) in home lined games since 1997.
GEORGE MASON is 73-50 ATS (+18.0 Units) in home games against conference opponents since 1997.
GEORGE MASON is 30-13 ATS (+15.7 Units) in home games when playing with one or less days rest since 1997.
GEORGE MASON is 20-7 ATS (+12.3 Units) after a conference game over the last 2 seasons.
GEORGE MASON is 16-7 ATS (+8.3 Units) off a win against a conference rival over the last 2 seasons.
GEORGE MASON is 17-8 ATS (+8.2 Units) after allowing 60 points or less over the last 2 seasons.
UNC-WILMINGTON is 86-61 ATS (+18.9 Units) in road games after a conference game since 1997.
UNC-WILMINGTON is 71-44 ATS (+22.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
GEORGE MASON is 4-0 against the spread versus UNC-WILMINGTON over the last 3 seasons
GEORGE MASON is 4-0 straight up against UNC-WILMINGTON over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
TEXAS A&M (11 - 7) at KANSAS (16 - 3)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
TEXAS A&M is 2-1 against the spread versus KANSAS over the last 3 seasons
KANSAS is 3-0 straight up against TEXAS A&M over the last 3 seasons
2 of 3 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
LOYOLA-MARYMOUNT (11 - 8) at SANTA CLARA (8 - 10)
Top Trends for this game.
LOYOLA-MARYMOUNT is 57-82 ATS (-33.2 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997.
SANTA CLARA is 14-5 ATS (+8.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games over the last 3 seasons.
LOYOLA-MARYMOUNT is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) against conference opponents this season.
LOYOLA-MARYMOUNT is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) after a conference game this season.
SANTA CLARA is 2-8 ATS (-6.8 Units) when the total is 140 to 149.5 this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
LOYOLA-MARYMOUNT is 3-2 against the spread versus SANTA CLARA over the last 3 seasons
SANTA CLARA is 3-2 straight up against LOYOLA-MARYMOUNT over the last 3 seasons
4 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
IONA (15 - 4) at SIENA (8 - 10)
Top Trends for this game.
IONA is 1-8 ATS (-7.8 Units) after scoring 80 points or more this season.
SIENA is 29-14 ATS (+13.6 Units) after scoring 60 points or less since 1997.
IONA is 15-5 ATS (+9.5 Units) when the total is 140 to 149.5 over the last 3 seasons.
IONA is 35-20 ATS (+13.0 Units) in road games in January games since 1997.
SIENA is 7-20 ATS (-15.0 Units) against conference opponents over the last 2 seasons.
SIENA is 6-17 ATS (-12.7 Units) after a conference game over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
SIENA is 4-2 against the spread versus IONA over the last 3 seasons
SIENA is 3-3 straight up against IONA over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
THE CITADEL (4 - 14) at GA SOUTHERN (7 - 11)
Top Trends for this game.
THE CITADEL is 12-24 ATS (-14.4 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
THE CITADEL is 12-24 ATS (-14.4 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
THE CITADEL is 6-16 ATS (-11.6 Units) when the total is 130 to 139.5 over the last 2 seasons.
THE CITADEL is 11-21 ATS (-12.1 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
THE CITADEL is 5-14 ATS (-10.4 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
THE CITADEL is 5-14 ATS (-10.4 Units) in road lined games over the last 2 seasons.
THE CITADEL is 8-18 ATS (-11.8 Units) against conference opponents over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
GA SOUTHERN is 2-2 against the spread versus THE CITADEL over the last 3 seasons
GA SOUTHERN is 2-2 straight up against THE CITADEL over the last 3 seasons
4 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
N CAROLINA A&T (8 - 12) at COPPIN ST (9 - 10)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
COPPIN ST is 2-2 straight up against N CAROLINA A&T over the last 3 seasons
ARK-PINE BLUFF (3 - 16) at PRAIRIE VIEW A&M (7 - 12)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
PRAIRIE VIEW A&M is 1-0 against the spread versus ARK-PINE BLUFF over the last 3 seasons
ARK-PINE BLUFF is 3-1 straight up against PRAIRIE VIEW A&M over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
MISS VALLEY ST (5 - 13) at TEXAS SOUTHERN (6 - 12)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
MISS VALLEY ST is 1-0 against the spread versus TEXAS SOUTHERN over the last 3 seasons
TEXAS SOUTHERN is 2-2 straight up against MISS VALLEY ST over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
SYRACUSE vs. CINCINNATI
Syracuse is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Syracuse's last 5 games on the road
Cincinnati is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Cincinnati's last 5 games
NORTHEASTERN vs. OLD DOMINION
Northeastern is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Northeastern is 8-16 SU in its last 24 games on the road
Old Dominion is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Old Dominion is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
DREXEL vs. WILLIAM & MARY
Drexel is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Drexel is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against William & Mary
William & Mary is 4-17 SU in its last 21 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of William & Mary's last 7 games
HOFSTRA vs. VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH
Hofstra is 1-9 SU in its last 10 games on the road
Hofstra is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Virginia Commonwe
Virginia Commonwealth is 12-2 SU in its last 14 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Virginia Commonwealth's last 6 games
BROWN vs. BRYANT
Brown is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
No trends available
IONA vs. SIENA
Iona is 14-2 SU in its last 16 games on the road
Iona is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Siena
Siena is 2-2-2 ATS in its last 6 games
Siena is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
JAMES MADISON vs. GEORGIA STATE
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of James Madison's last 5 games on the road
Georgia State is 13-3 SU in its last 16 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Georgia State's last 8 games
TOWSON vs. DELAWARE
Towson is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Towson is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Delaware
Delaware is 2-4-1 ATS in its last 7 games
Delaware is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games
THE CITADEL vs. GEORGIA SOUTHERN
The Citadel is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
The Citadel is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Georgia Southern is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Georgia Southern is 8-17 SU in its last 25 games
TEXAS A&M vs. KANSAS
Texas A&M is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
Texas A&M is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games on the road
Kansas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Kansas's last 7 games
UNC WILMINGTON vs. GEORGE MASON
UNC Wilmington is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
UNC Wilmington is 5-12 SU in its last 17 games on the road
George Mason is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games
George Mason is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games at home
LOYOLA MARYMOUNT vs. SANTA CLARA
Loyola Marymount is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Loyola Marymount is 6-13 ATS in its last 19 games when playing on the road against Santa Clara
Santa Clara is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games
Santa Clara is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
CS BAKERSFIELD vs. SAN JOSE STATE
No trends available
San Jose State is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
San Jose State is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
Monday's Top College Basketball Trends
GEORGE MASON is 14-1 ATS off a home win by 10 points or more (vs UNC-Wilmington)
SIENA is 3-17 ATS after playing a road game (vs Iona)
CINCINNATI is 2-11 ATS off a road loss (vs Syracuse)
GEORGIA ST is 9-0 UNDER when playing their 2nd game in 3 days (vs James Madison)
CBB Games to Watch
By David Schwab
VegasInsider.com
No. 1 Syracuse Orange vs. Cincinnati Bearcats
Syracuse will most likely fall from the top spot in the nation when the new weekly polls are released later today after Saturday’s 67-58 loss to Notre Dame as a nine-point road favorite. It was its first straight up loss of the season against 20 wins. The Orange are 13-7-1 against the spread and the total has gone 9-10-1.
Cincinnati comes in at 15-5 SU (7-7 ATS) after Saturday’s 77-74 loss to West Virginia in overtime as a 4½-point road underdog. The Bearcats are 10-3 SU at home this season, but just 1-6 ATS. The total has gone 8-6 overall and is 3-4 in seven home games. They have been opened as 4½-point home underdogs against Syracuse with the total set at 135.