Monday's Best NCAAB Bets
By Covers.com
Long Beach State 49ers at Louisville Cardinals (-9.5, 133.5)
The Cardinals keep getting it done, even though coach Rick Pitino insists they’re just trying to make it through this month.
Louisville improved to 5-0 straight up with a 59-54 victory over Ohio as a big 16-point favorite.
"We are so banged up, we lack practice so much because our practices right now are so light and so easy, I'm just afraid to get somebody hurt,” coach Rick Pitino told reporters. “We're just trying to survive right now and hold off the enemy until the cavalry comes."
While the win didn’t get Cardinals bettors to the pay window, there were some positives to take from the game. Point guard Peyton Siva returned to the lineup after missing a couple of games with a sprained ankle. He had just four points and missed all seven of his shots from the floor, but did manage to play 33 minutes.
That’s a good sign.
Pick: Cardinals
Xavier Musketeers at Vanderbilt Commodores (-4, 141)
The Musketeers are coming off likely their best performance of the season and they’ll need to keep that momentum going in their biggest test of the season Monday.
Xavier moved to 4-0 straight up with a 70-56 win over Georgia as 10.5-point favorites, but it was never even as close as the score suggests.
"I thought the first 34 minutes or so we were as good as we've been all year," Xavier coach Chris Mack told reporters. "We played great for 33 minutes but we have to finish games a little bit better."
The Musketeers led by as many as 36 points and held Georgia to just 21.4 percent shooting from the floor.
Vanderbilt will come out gunning after covering just two of their last six overall.
Pick:
NCAAB Preview
Louisville is 5-0, allowing just 46 ppg, but they haven't played a top 100 team yet; #64 Long Beach State is overscheduled with road games, but they've won at Pitt, lost in OT at San Diego State and at Montana by a hoop. Big East home favorites are 9-18 vs spread, 2-5 if spread is single digits; Big West road underdogs are 10-10, 5-3 if spread is single digits. Cardinals covered three of four games as a favorite this year.
3-4 UL-Lafayette lost both its true road games, by 1 at San Francisco, 19 at Duquesne (only top 100 team they've faced); Cajuns are 1-2 as an underdog. Kent State hasn't played in six days since loss to Cleveland State; they do have an upset win at West Virginia. ULL is shooting just 63.4% from foul line for season. MAC home favorites are 7-4 vs spread; Sun Belt road underdogs of 13+ points are 10-5.
Akron already has win as 9-point dog at Mississipi State; Zips have an experienced team (like Kent State) that can give young West Virginia a problem. Zips' two losses are by 3-5 points. Mountaineers are 3-1, all at home, with wins by 7-35-35, with 78-71 win vs Oral Roberts their only top 100 win. Big East home favorites are 9-18 vs spread, 7-13 if spread is double digits; MAC double digit road underdogs are 5-3.
Vanderbilt is 5-1, losing to Cleveland State; their best wins are 69-62 vs #62 NC State, 78-64 over #63 Oregon. Commodores are 2-2 as faves so far this year. #24 Xavier is 4-0 but playing first road game; best team they've played was 70-56 win over #78 Georgia in last game. SEC home favorites are 9-12-1 vs spread, 2-1 if spread is single digits; Atlantic 14 road underdogs are 16-9, 8-3 if spread is 5 or less.
Only two teams to beat 4-2 Georgia are ranked in top 25 (Cal/Xavier). Dawgs were Kansas City early last week; Xavier game was first true road tilt, so they've been on road a lot. Colorado is 3-2, losing by 9 to Wichita State in its only game vs top 100 team. Buffs beat Air Force in OT last game. Pac-12 home favorites of less than 8 points are 0-4 vs spread; SEC road underdogs of 9 or less points are 5-3.
5-1 Stanford is 4-0 as a favorite this year, 2-0 at home, winning by 16-12 points; Cardinal had Syracuse on ropes in NYC last game, but died down stretch of 69-63 loss. Extremely young Pacific squad is 0-2 vs D-I clubs, losing by 24 at Nevada, by 5 at Hawai'i. Pac-12 double digit home faves are 6-12 vs spread; Big West double digit road underdogs are 5-7. Both teams been travelling; this is likely to be sloppy game.
UCLA has shown little enthusiasm or sharpness in losing its first four games vs D-I foes, already losing as 11 and 14-point favorites, so until they show something, hard to back them. Pepperdine won at Arizona State, then lost at Bakersfield, but is coming off of OT win at UTSA in last game. WCC road underdogs are 6-7-2 vs spread, 2-3-1 if spread is double digits; Pac-12 double digit home favorites are 6-12.
Montana State is 1-3 vs D-I opponents, losing by 6 at Arizona State, 12 vs Seattle, 9 at Idaho (they beat winless Utah). San Jose State is 1-3 vs D-I foes, with only win by point over poor Cal-Irvine team. WAC single digit home favorites are 3-5 vs spread; Big Sky road underdogs are 13-6, 5-4 if spread is single digits. Spartans are making just 38.2% of 2-point shots, 29.2% from arc. Not lot to choose from on either side.
3-2 Tennessee is 5-0 vs spread; this is their first true road game after spending last week on Maui; Vols lost 89-82 at home to Oakland LY, in an upset. Best team Tennessee has beaten this year is NC-Greensboro, #272. 3-2 Oakland lost to Alabama by 17, Arkansas by 23; Grizzlies protect ball well but are making just 25.8% of 3-point shots. SEC single digit road favorites are 6-3 vs spread.
LONG BEACH ST (3 - 2) at LOUISVILLE (5 - 0) - 11/28/2011, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LOUISVILLE is 13-2 ATS (+10.8 Units) after allowing 60 points or less over the last 2 seasons.
LONG BEACH ST is 68-46 ATS (+17.4 Units) when playing with one or less days rest since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.
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LA-LAFAYETTE (3 - 4) at KENT ST (2 - 1) - 11/28/2011, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LA-LAFAYETTE is 46-70 ATS (-31.0 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 (3 - 2) at W VIRGINIA (3 - 1) - 11/28/2011, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
W VIRGINIA is 18-3 ATS (+14.7 Units) as a home favorite of 9.5 to 12 points since 1997.
W VIRGINIA is 88-63 ATS (+18.7 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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XAVIER (4 - 0) at VANDERBILT (5 - 1) - 11/28/2011, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
XAVIER is 145-108 ATS (+26.2 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.
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GEORGIA (4 - 2) at COLORADO (3 - 2) - 11/28/2011, 8:30 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
GEORGIA is 1-0 against the spread versus COLORADO over the last 3 seasons
GEORGIA is 1-0 straight up against COLORADO over the last 3 seasons
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PACIFIC (2 - 2) at STANFORD (5 - 1) - 11/28/2011, 10:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PACIFIC is 19-8 ATS (+10.2 Units) in a road game where the total is 120 to 129.5 since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.
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PEPPERDINE (3 - 2) at UCLA (1 - 4) - 11/28/2011, 11:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PEPPERDINE is 0-6 ATS (-6.6 Units) in a road game where the total is 135 to 139.5 over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
UCLA is 1-1 against the spread versus PEPPERDINE over the last 3 seasons
UCLA is 2-0 straight up against PEPPERDINE 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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MONTANA ST (2 - 3) at SAN JOSE ST (2 - 3) - 11/28/2011, 10:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MONTANA ST is 15-32 ATS (-20.2 Units) when the total is 140 to 149.5 since 1997.
SAN JOSE ST is 4-13 ATS (-10.3 Units) in home games after scoring 80 points or more since 1997.
SAN JOSE ST is 43-67 ATS (-30.7 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
SAN JOSE ST is 1-1 against the spread versus MONTANA ST over the last 3 seasons
SAN JOSE ST is 2-0 straight up against MONTANA ST 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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TENNESSEE (3 - 2) at OAKLAND (3 - 2) - 11/28/2011, 9:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
OAKLAND is 22-10 ATS (+11.0 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 22-10 ATS (+11.0 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
TENNESSEE is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) in November games over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
OAKLAND is 1-0 against the spread versus TENNESSEE over the last 3 seasons
OAKLAND is 1-0 straight up against TENNESSEE over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
NIAGARA vs. ST. FRANCIS PA
Niagara is 1-12 SU in its last 13 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Niagara's last 8 games on the road
No trends available
AKRON vs. WEST VIRGINIA
Akron is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Akron's last 5 games on the road
West Virginia is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games
West Virginia is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
UNC GREENSBORO vs. NORTH CAROLINA A&T
UNC Greensboro is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
UNC Greensboro is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
No trends available
LONG BEACH STATE vs. LOUISVILLE
Long Beach State is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Long Beach State's last 5 games on the road
Louisville is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Louisville is 14-2 SU in its last 16 games at home
LONG ISLAND vs. IONA
No trends available
Iona is 15-3 SU in its last 18 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Iona's last 6 games
STETSON vs. FLORIDA
No trends available
Florida is 17-4 SU in its last 21 games
Florida is 15-2 SU in its last 17 games at home
IUPUI vs. GEORGETOWN
No trends available
Georgetown is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Georgetown is 15-6 SU in its last 21 games at home
LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE vs. KENT STATE
Louisiana-Lafayette is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Louisiana-Lafayette is 5-16 SU in its last 21 games on the road
Kent State is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games
Kent State is 20-4 SU in its last 24 games at home
XAVIER vs. VANDERBILT
Xavier is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Xavier's last 5 games on the road
Vanderbilt is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Vanderbilt is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
UMBC vs. RUTGERS
No trends available
Rutgers is 6-13 SU in its last 19 games
LOUISIANA-MONROE vs. NICHOLLS STATE
Louisiana-Monroe is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Louisiana-Monroe is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Nicholls State
No trends available
AUSTIN PEAY vs. LIPSCOMB
Austin Peay is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
No trends available
ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF vs. AUBURN
No trends available
Auburn is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Auburn is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
JACKSON STATE vs. MEMPHIS
No trends available
Memphis is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Memphis's last 6 games
JACKSONVILLE vs. MARQUETTE
No trends available
Marquette is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Marquette is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
GEORGIA vs. COLORADO
Georgia is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Georgia is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Colorado is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games
Colorado is 20-5 SU in its last 25 games at home
TENNESSEE vs. OAKLAND
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Tennessee's last 14 games on the road
No trends available
MONTANA STATE vs. SAN JOSE STATE
Montana State is 5-9-1 ATS in its last 15 games on the road
Montana State is 2-10 SU in its last 12 games on the road
San Jose State is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
San Jose State is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home
PACIFIC vs. STANFORD
Pacific is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Pacific is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Stanford is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Stanford is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
WEBER STATE vs. ST. MARY'S
Weber State is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Weber State is 7-14 SU in its last 21 games on the road
St. Mary's is 17-8 SU in its last 25 games
St. Mary's is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
MCNEESE STATE vs. CALIFORNIA
No trends available
California is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of California's last 6 games
PEPPERDINE vs. UCLA
Pepperdine is 3-12 SU in its last 15 games on the road
Pepperdine is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against UCLA
UCLA is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games
UCLA is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
Monday's Top Trends
LOUISVILLE is 13-2 ATS after allowing 60 pts or less
SAN JOSE STATE is 0-8 ATS after a combined score of 155+ points
STANFORD is 12-2 ATS vs. teams who attempt 21+ 3 pt shots per game
XAVIER is 18-4 ATS Away after game where they allowed a shooting pct. of 33% or less
W VIRGINIA 18-3 ATS as a home favorite of 9.5 to 12 pts
GEORGIA is 20-6 ATS off SU loss
COLORADO is 0-7 ATS after covering 3 of their last 4 ATS
GEORGIA is 12-2 ATS off a road loss
OAKLAND is 13-3 ATS off 3+ SU wins
STANFORD is 0-7 ATS vs. foul prone teams - called for 21 or more fouls/game
W VIRGINIA is 10-1 ATS at home after giving up 5 or less offensive rebounds
COLORADO is 44-72 ATS playing only 2nd time in 8 days
COLORADO is 48-75 ATS after having won 2 of their last 3 games