Sunday's Best NCAAB Bets
By Covers.com
Wisconsin Badgers at Illinois Fighting Illini (1.5, 108.5)
Wisconsin had lost three in a row in late December and early January, but the Badgers appear to be back on track. They have won three consecutive games, including a win at Purdue and a 20-point rout of Northwestern on Wednesday.
As usual, Wisconsin is getting the job done with defense. Bo Ryan's club is allowing a mere 49.0 points per game, fewest in all of Division I.
“They’re very physical,” said Illinois center Meyers Leonard. “They use their lower body and don’t do a lot of fouling with their hands.”
The Illini could be hard-pressed to score on Sunday. They are ninth in the conference in scoring at 67.9 points per game and they are last in turnovers, coughing it up 14.2 times per outing.
Pick: Illinois
Virginia Tech Hokies at Virginia Cavaliers (-8, 113.5)
Virginia is making serious noise this season, and the team is doing it with defense.
Virginia (15-2, 2-1 ACC) is allowing only 50.4 points per game on 38.3 percent shooting. On Thursday the Cavaliers simply dominated Georgia Tech on the road, limiting the Jackets to 29.2 percent shooting (including one for 15 from downtown) in a 70-38 blowout.
"I didn't expect it to be like this, but I'll certainly take it and hope we can keep building on it," head coach Tony Bennett said.
The Cavs should be able to keep it going against Virginia Tech, the only winless squad in ACC play. The Hokies are 0-4 and 0-4 ATS, including losses to bottom-feeders Wake Forest and Boston College.
Virginia Tech is averaging just 60.3 points on 35.8 percent shooting in conference games, and those numbers may not improve against a defense like that of Virginia.
Pick: Virginia
NC STATE (14 - 5) at MIAMI (10 - 6)
Top Trends for this game.
NC STATE is 5-17 ATS (-13.7 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
NC STATE is 5-14 ATS (-10.4 Units) against conference opponents over the last 2 seasons.
NC STATE is 4-13 ATS (-10.3 Units) after a conference game over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 1-8 ATS (-7.8 Units) in home games against conference opponents over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
NC STATE is 1-0 against the spread versus MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
NC STATE is 2-0 straight up against MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
PENN ST (10 - 10) at INDIANA (15 - 4)
Top Trends for this game.
INDIANA is 15-27 ATS (-14.7 Units) against conference opponents over the last 3 seasons.
INDIANA is 6-15 ATS (-10.5 Units) after 3 or more consecutive losses over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
PENN ST is 2-1 against the spread versus INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
INDIANA is 2-2 straight up against PENN ST over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
WISCONSIN (15 - 5) at ILLINOIS (15 - 4)
Top Trends for this game.
WISCONSIN is 10-3 ATS (+6.7 Units) after allowing 60 points or less this season.
ILLINOIS is 2-13 ATS (-12.3 Units) as a home underdog of 3 points or less or pick since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
ILLINOIS is 3-2 against the spread versus WISCONSIN over the last 3 seasons
ILLINOIS is 3-2 straight up against WISCONSIN over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
S FLORIDA (11 - 8) at DEPAUL (10 - 8)
Top Trends for this game.
DEPAUL is 13-27 ATS (-16.7 Units) in home games after 3 or more consecutive losses since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
S FLORIDA is 4-0 against the spread versus DEPAUL over the last 3 seasons
S FLORIDA is 4-0 straight up against DEPAUL over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
WI-GREEN BAY (7 - 11) at YOUNGSTOWN ST (10 - 8)
Top Trends for this game.
WI-GREEN BAY is 22-6 ATS (+15.4 Units) as a road underdog of 3 points or less or pick since 1997.
WI-GREEN BAY is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) when playing with one or less days rest over the last 2 seasons.
WI-GREEN BAY is 15-6 ATS (+8.4 Units) off a loss against a conference rival over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
WI-GREEN BAY is 4-0 against the spread versus YOUNGSTOWN ST over the last 3 seasons
WI-GREEN BAY is 5-0 straight up against YOUNGSTOWN ST over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
WI-MILWAUKEE (13 - 7) at CLEVELAND ST (16 - 4)
Top Trends for this game.
WI-MILWAUKEE is 1-7 ATS (-6.7 Units) when the total is 120 to 129.5 this season.
WI-MILWAUKEE is 0-7 ATS (-7.7 Units) in a road game where the total is 120 to 129.5 over the last 2 seasons.
WI-MILWAUKEE is 143-104 ATS (+28.6 Units) against conference opponents since 1997.
WI-MILWAUKEE is 137-102 ATS (+24.8 Units) after a conference game since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
WI-MILWAUKEE is 4-1 against the spread versus CLEVELAND ST over the last 3 seasons
WI-MILWAUKEE is 3-2 straight up against CLEVELAND ST over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
NORTHWESTERN (12 - 6) at MINNESOTA (14 - 5)
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 8-17 ATS (-10.7 Units) when the total is 130 to 139.5 over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 8-18 ATS (-11.8 Units) in all home games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 8-18 ATS (-11.8 Units) in home lined games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 8-17 ATS (-10.7 Units) against conference opponents over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 2-9 ATS (-7.9 Units) in home games after a conference game over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 2-8 ATS (-6.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
NORTHWESTERN is 4-1 against the spread versus MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
NORTHWESTERN is 3-2 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
VIRGINIA TECH (11 - 7) at VIRGINIA (15 - 2)
Top Trends for this game.
VIRGINIA is 26-12 ATS (+12.8 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
VIRGINIA is 26-12 ATS (+12.8 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
VIRGINIA is 7-1 ATS (+5.9 Units) when the total is 119.5 or less this season.
VIRGINIA is 13-5 ATS (+7.5 Units) after a conference game over the last 2 seasons.
VIRGINIA is 21-10 ATS (+10.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
VIRGINIA is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) versus good defensive teams - allowing <=64 points/game this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
VIRGINIA is 2-1 against the spread versus VIRGINIA TECH over the last 3 seasons
VIRGINIA is 2-2 straight up against VIRGINIA TECH over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
DRAKE (12 - 7) at N IOWA (13 - 7)
Top Trends for this game.
DRAKE is 6-16 ATS (-11.6 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
N IOWA is 5-1 against the spread versus DRAKE over the last 3 seasons
N IOWA is 5-1 straight up against DRAKE over the last 3 seasons
4 of 6 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
ST PETERS (4 - 15) at LOYOLA-MD (13 - 5)
Top Trends for this game.
ST PETERS is 79-55 ATS (+18.5 Units) in road games since 1997.
ST PETERS is 79-55 ATS (+18.5 Units) in road lined games since 1997.
ST PETERS is 21-8 ATS (+12.2 Units) in a road game where the total is 120 to 129.5 since 1997.
LOYOLA-MD is 8-18 ATS (-11.8 Units) in all home games over the last 3 seasons.
LOYOLA-MD is 8-18 ATS (-11.8 Units) in home lined games over the last 3 seasons.
LOYOLA-MD is 1-11 ATS (-11.1 Units) in a home game where the total is 120 to 129.5 since 1997.
LOYOLA-MD is 39-64 ATS (-31.4 Units) in home games against conference opponents since 1997.
LOYOLA-MD is 32-56 ATS (-29.6 Units) in home games after a conference game since 1997.
LOYOLA-MD is 8-25 ATS (-19.5 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record after 15 or more games since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
ST PETERS is 3-2 against the spread versus LOYOLA-MD over the last 3 seasons
ST PETERS is 4-1 straight up against LOYOLA-MD over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
FAIRFIELD (10 - 9) at MARIST (7 - 12)
Top Trends for this game.
FAIRFIELD is 70-47 ATS (+18.3 Units) in road games against conference opponents since 1997.
FAIRFIELD is 19-9 ATS (+9.1 Units) in road games after a conference game over the last 3 seasons.
MARIST is 0-7 ATS (-7.7 Units) as a home underdog of 9.5 to 12 points since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
FAIRFIELD is 3-2 against the spread versus MARIST over the last 3 seasons
FAIRFIELD is 5-0 straight up against MARIST over the last 3 seasons
4 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
SAMFORD (5 - 12) at UNC-GREENSBORO (5 - 14)
Top Trends for this game.
SAMFORD is 12-23 ATS (-13.3 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SAMFORD is 12-23 ATS (-13.3 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
SAMFORD is 7-18 ATS (-12.8 Units) against conference opponents over the last 2 seasons.
SAMFORD is 5-16 ATS (-12.6 Units) in January games over the last 3 seasons.
SAMFORD is 6-16 ATS (-11.6 Units) after a conference game over the last 2 seasons.
SAMFORD is 4-13 ATS (-10.3 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
UNC-GREENSBORO is 3-1 against the spread versus SAMFORD over the last 3 seasons
UNC-GREENSBORO is 2-2 straight up against SAMFORD over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
CANISIUS (4 - 14) at RIDER (6 - 14)
Top Trends for this game.
RIDER is 56-86 ATS (-38.6 Units) as a favorite since 1997.
RIDER is 3-13 ATS (-11.3 Units) in all home games over the last 2 seasons.
RIDER is 3-13 ATS (-11.3 Units) in home lined games over the last 2 seasons.
RIDER is 1-10 ATS (-10.0 Units) in home games against conference opponents over the last 2 seasons.
RIDER is 4-14 ATS (-11.4 Units) in home games after a conference game over the last 3 seasons.
RIDER is 23-41 ATS (-22.1 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997.
RIDER is 9-27 ATS (-20.7 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record after 15 or more games since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
CANISIUS is 3-2 against the spread versus RIDER over the last 3 seasons
RIDER is 3-2 straight up against CANISIUS over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
NIAGARA (9 - 11) at MANHATTAN (13 - 7)
Top Trends for this game.
MANHATTAN is 14-4 ATS (+9.6 Units) in all games this season.
MANHATTAN is 14-4 ATS (+9.6 Units) in all lined games this season.
MANHATTAN is 7-1 ATS (+5.9 Units) against conference opponents this season.
MANHATTAN is 7-0 ATS (+7.0 Units) after a conference game this season.
MANHATTAN is 8-2 ATS (+5.8 Units) after allowing 60 points or less this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
NIAGARA is 3-1 against the spread versus MANHATTAN over the last 3 seasons
NIAGARA is 3-1 straight up against MANHATTAN over the last 3 seasons
2 of 3 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
NORTH CAROLINA STATE vs. MIAMI
North Carolina State is 5-13 SU in its last 18 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of North Carolina State's last 5 games on the road
Miami is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games
Miami is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
SAINT PETER'S vs. LOYOLA
Saint Peter's is 1-11 SU in its last 12 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Saint Peter's last 5 games on the road
Loyola is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Loyola is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
PENN STATE vs. INDIANA
Penn State is 1-4-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Penn State is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games on the road
Indiana is 0-4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Indiana is 15-4 SU in its last 19 games
SAMFORD vs. UNC GREENSBORO
Samford is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
UNC Greensboro is 3-11 SU in its last 14 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of UNC Greensboro's last 6 games
WISC-MILWAUKEE vs. CLEVELAND STATE
Wisc-Milwaukee is 1-3-2 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Wisc-Milwaukee is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Cleveland State is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Cleveland State's last 5 games
WISCONSIN vs. ILLINOIS
Wisconsin is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Wisconsin's last 6 games on the road
Illinois is 15-4 SU in its last 19 games
Illinois is 16-2 SU in its last 18 games at home
SOUTH FLORIDA vs. DEPAUL
South Florida is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games on the road
South Florida is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games on the road
DePaul is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
DePaul is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
WISC-GREEN BAY vs. YOUNGSTOWN STATE
Wisc-Green Bay is 4-0-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Wisc-Green Bay is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Youngstown State is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Youngstown State is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home
CANISIUS vs. RIDER
Canisius is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Canisius's last 8 games on the road
Rider is 4-1-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Rider is 6-16 SU in its last 22 games
NORTHWESTERN vs. MINNESOTA
Northwestern is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Northwestern's last 6 games on the road
Minnesota is 14-5 SU in its last 19 games
Minnesota is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
NIAGARA vs. MANHATTAN
Niagara is 6-19 SU in its last 25 games on the road
Niagara is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Manhattan
Manhattan is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Manhattan's last 5 games
VIRGINIA TECH vs. VIRGINIA
Virginia Tech is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Virginia Tech's last 7 games on the road
Virginia is 13-1 SU in its last 14 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Virginia's last 5 games
DRAKE vs. NORTHERN IOWA
Drake is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
Drake is 4-20 SU in its last 24 games on the road
Northern Iowa is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games
Northern Iowa is 12-6 SU in its last 18 games
Sunday's Top College Basketball Trends
ST PETERS is 11-1 ATS in road games after one or more consecutive overs (vs Loyola-MD)
MANHATTAN is 7-0 ATS after a conference game (vs Niagara)
RIDER is 1-10 ATS in home games against conference opponents (vs Canisuius)
VIRGINIA is 7-0 ATS after allowing 65 points or less 4 straight games (vs Virginia Tech)
WI-GREEN BAY is 13-2 ATS when playing their 2nd game in 3 days (vs Youngstown St)
NCAAB Preview
ACC home favorites are 2-12-1 against the spread, but 2-2 if spread is 5 or less points. Home team won seven of last nine NC State-Miami tilts, with State losing three of last five visits here; four of last six series games were won by 5 or less points. Wolfpack won eight of last nine games; they're 1-1 on road, winning at Wake Forest, losing by 4 at Stanford. Miami is 0-5 vs top 60 teams; best team they've beaten is #87 Rutgers.
Penn State won six of last nine games with Indiana, losing 88-82 in first meeting this season, when Hoosiers made 16-24 from arc. Lions won last two visits here; they're 2-5 in Big Dozen this year, losing road games by 18-12-12 points. Big Dozen double digit home favorites are 6-4 against the spread. Indiana lost last three games after 15-1 start, losing last game at Nebraska after leading by 7 at half; they're making 45% from arc, #2 in country- their conference wins are by 4-2-6 points.
Wisconsin is 3-4 in its last seven games with Illinois, with Illini winning the first meeting the last three years; Badgers are 3-2 in last five visits to Champaign. Wisconsin won its last three games after losing its previous three; they hold teams to 26.5% behind arc (#5). Big Dozen home teams are 9-6 vs spread if number is less than 5 points. Illinois is 11-0 at home; six of their seven conference games were decided by 5 or less points, or in OT- their Big Dozen home wins are by 9-5-5 points.
South Florida won its last six games with DePaul, winning three straight games in Windy City by 22-4-10 points. Improved Bulls are 4-2 in Big East, but they're 1-5 overall on road, with only win at Villanova. DePaul lost last four games; four of its five conference losses are by 16+ points. Blue Demons are 9-1 vs teams not ranked in top 100, with only loss by hoop to #110 Ole Miss. Big East favorites are 8-4 vs spread if number is 3 or less points.
Green Bay won five in row, 15 of last 18 games with Youngstown State, winning last two visits here by 14-11 points; Phoenix is 0-10 on foreign soil this year, losing Horizon road games by 4-3-1-10 points. Improved Penguins are 5-3 in conference, 3-0 at home, winning by 4-21-2 points. Green Bay turns ball over 23.2% of time, makes just 32.2% behind arc. Horizon home favorites of less than 5 points are 3-8 against the spread.
Milwaukee won three of last four games with Cleveland State, going 1-3 in last four visits here, losing by 10-1-9 points; Panthers lost last three road games by 4-11-2 points; they make just 57.7% on foul line (#340). Vikings won last three home games, by 17-21-10 points; they're forcing turnovers on 27.4% of possessions (#2). Horizon home favorites of 5+ points are 10-9 vs spread this season. Four of last seven Milwaukee games were decided by four or less points.
Northwestern lost last four visits to Minnesota by 19-27-4-11 points; home team won seven of last eight series games. Wildcats lost five of last seven games, losing Big Dozen road games by 32-2-20 points. Gophers won last two games after starting 0-4 in Big Dozen, losing both games at home by 2-13 points. Wildcats played Wednesday; Minnesota hasn't played in a week. Big Dozen single digit home favorites are 7-10 against the spread. Gophers are turning ball over 21.6% of time, too much.
ACC home favorites of more than 5 points are 0-10-1 vs spread so far this season. Virginia swept Virginia Tech by 3-7 points LY, first home series win in last four tries for Cavaliers. Seven of last eight series games were decided by 7 or less points. 15-2 Virginia holds teams to 25.7% on arc, #2 in country; they're 9-0 at home, winning last game at Ga Tech by 32. Hokies are 0-4 in ACC, with three of the losses by 4 or less points.
Drake won last four games since losing by 15 to Northern Iowa Jan 7th, UNI's fifth win in last six series games, when Panthers shot 55% from floor. Drake lost last two visits here by 16-20 points. Bulldogs are 2-5 vs top 100 teams, with four of five losses by 11+ points. MVC single digit home favorites are 8-11 against the spread. Northern Iowa lost six of last nine games, three of last five at home; three of their last four games were decided by 3 or less points.
St Peter's won four of last five game with Loyola Md, winning last two visits here, by 8-3 points; Peacocks are 1-3 on road in MAAC, losing by 26-4-12 points- they're 0-11 against teams ranked in top 200, with four of five MAAC losses by 12+ points. Loyola is 3-2 as MAAC favorite at home, winning home games by 13-1-15-11 points. Double digit home favorites are 2-6 vs spread in MAAC games this season. In last dozen series games, Loyola hasn't beaten St Peter's by more than 12 points.