Sunday's Best NCAAB Bets
By Covers.com
Virginia Cavaliers at Oregon Ducks
Virginia will be playing its first true road game of the season when it travels to Eugene on Sunday.
"Some of the things you get away with at home can be good enough, but when you get on the road against some talented teams and just in conference play, you've got to be real solid," said Cavaliers’ head coach Tony Bennett. "It's got to be maybe even better than good. It's got to be close to your best."
The Cavs have seemingly been at their best in the early stages of this year. They are 8-1 overall (6-0 at home and 2-1 at neutral sites). In the midst of a current six-game winning streak, Virginia most recently played on December 6 and hammered a solid George Mason team by 20 points.
The return of senior forward Mike Scott has been a huge boost for an experienced Cavalier squad. Scott, who played just 10 games last season before being sidelined with an ankle injury, leads the team in both points (15.3 ppg) and rebounds (9.1 ppg).
Oregon, meanwhile, is 6-2 and 5-0 at home. The Ducks’ losses have come at Vanderbilt and on a neutral court against BYU.
Pick: Virginia
Oral Roberts Golden Eagles vs. Xavier Musketeers
Xavier is set to take the court for the first time since the ugly last-second brawl with Cincinnati on December 10.
The result of the carnage, at least for the Musketeers: they will be without Landen Amos, Tu Holloway, Mark Lyons, and Dezmine Wells. Holloway, Lyons, and Wells are all key contributors and they are three of the team’s four leading scorers.
That means the burden will fall on center Kenny Frease; yes, the same Kenny Frease whose face got beat up by Yancy Gates during the fracas. Frease averages 9.6 points per game and he leads the team in rebounds (6.2) and blocks (2.4).
“I told our guys we have another great opportunity to beat a ranked team, and I don’t care how many of their guys will be out of the game,” Oral Roberts head coach Scott Sutton noted. “I know it’s going to be an emotional game for the guys who will be playing.”
It certainly was for Cincinnati’s first post-brawl appearance, as the Bearcats took care of business at Wright State by 20 points. Look for Xavier to bounce back in similar fashion.
Pick: Xavier
NCAAB Preview
Keep in mind that first semester just ended at most colleges, so transfers are becoming eligible in some places, making things a little trickier......
Princeton won three of its last four games, with last three all decided by 4 or less points; Tigers are making 31.8% from arc, 61.5% from line, not very good. Northeastern hasn't played in 12 days; they lost last three games, scoring 59.3 ppg- they turn ball over 27% of time, which is bad. CAA home teams are 2-5 vs spread if number is less than 5 points, 2-3 if they've home favorites; Ivy League single digit road dogs are 10-4.
Rhode Island is inexpicably 1-9, losing last six games, allowing 83.3 ppg in last three; Rams are horrible on defense- opponents are making 57% of 2-point shots. URI lost to Brown by 9, another Ivy team. Yale is 6-2 vs D-I teams, winning last five, though #174 Vermont was best of five teams. Bulldogs won last three road games, at Army, Sacred Heart and Hartford. Ivy League favorites are 6-7 vs spread, 4-3 on road; Atlantic 14 home underdogs are 3-5 against the spread.
Central Michigan is 4-5 vs D-I teams, 0-3 vs top 100 teams, losing by 29-12-20 points; Chippewas won tough game at home Friday, are one of worst rebounding teams in country (#321 on def. boards). Iowa State is 2-0 vs teams ranked below #200, winning by 32-25 points; they've been off for nine days since beating rival Iowa. MAC double digit road dogs are 8-6 vs spread; Big X home favorites of 15+ points are 7-5.
Wm & Mary is 0-3 vs top 100 teams, losing by 25-31-32 points; they're worst D-I team in America at forcing turnovers. Missouri is crushing teams, with only one of its last eight wins by less than 25 points, but Tigers have rivalry game with Illinois Thursday, could be looking ahead to that. CAA road underdogs of 14+ points are 6-2 vs spread; Big X home favorites of 18+ points are 6-3. Tribe makes just 29% from arc.
LMU is 5-4 vs D-I teams, beating #17 Saint Louis but losing to couple Ivy League teams; they've been off for 8 days since beating #303 Idaho State in OT for second time this season. 7-3 Florida State doesn't have a win by less than 12 points, but they're 0-3 vs teams ranked higher than #118-- bully team. Lions are ranked #188. WCC double digit road dogs are 3-6-1 against spread; ACC home favorites of 13+ points are 5-7.
Virginia won its last six games; they're 2-0 vs top 100 teams, winning by 12 over Michigan, beating George Mason by 20. Oregon lost at Virginia LY by 15; they're 0-2 vs top 60 teams, losing by 14 to both Vanderbilt and BYU. ACC teams are 9-17 vs spread if number is 4 or less points, 6-8 on road; Pac-12 teams are 13-13 if spread is less than 5 points, 2-5 at home. Virginia opponents are making just 26.3% behind arc (#20).
Loyola Md won its last eight games, but A14's #154 George Washington was best of those teams; Greyhounds held last three opponents under 60 points, are #5 offensive rebounding team in nation. St Bonaventure is 4-4 overall, 2-0 vs MAAC teams, winning by 6 at Siena, by 19 over rival Canisius. Bonnies are 3-0 when they score 65+ points, 1-4 when they don't. MAAC road underdogs of 11 or less points are 10-5 vs spread; Atlantic 14 home favorites of 7 or less points are 10-2.
4-3 Eastern Illinois lost by 7 to Indiana State, only team they've played ranked abouve #190; they've been off for eight days since losing to rival Western Illinois. 9-1 Northwestern beat Central Connecticut yesterday by 6, has date with once-beaten Creighton on deck; Wildcats are 3-0 vs teams ranked below #200, winning by 24-30-25 points. OVC road dogs of 12+ points are 13-8 vs spread; Big Dozen home favorites of 15+ points are 11-6-1.
Montana State is 3-4 vs D-I teams, 2-2 vs teams ranked below #200; Bobcats have been off for week sonce losing at home to Cal-Riverside. Pepperdine is making just 38% of 2-point shots, meaning they take lot of forced shots at end of shot clock; they beat two of best three teams they played, but are 2-3 vs worst five. Big Sky road dogs of 7 or less points are 7-5 vs spread; WCC home faves of 5 or less points are 2-5.
Portland State is 4-4 vs D-I teams, 0-3 vs top 100 teams, losing by 8 at Denver, 14 at Wyoming and 9 at Oregon; Vikings are making just 22.1% behind arc and turn ball over 22.7% of time, trouble against new pressure defense Oregon State uses- they force turnovers on 28% of possessions. Beavers did have strange home loss to Idaho, so caution advised. Big Sky road underdogs of 13+ points are 11-4 vs spread; Pac-12 double digit home favorites are 12-19.
PRINCETON (5 - 6) at NORTHEASTERN (3 - 4) - 12/18/2011, 1:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PRINCETON is 40-22 ATS (+15.8 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
PRINCETON is 40-22 ATS (+15.8 Units) in all lined games over the last 3 seasons.
PRINCETON is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
PRINCETON is 24-9 ATS (+14.1 Units) in road games over the last 3 seasons.
PRINCETON is 24-9 ATS (+14.1 Units) in road lined games over the last 3 seasons.
PRINCETON is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) in a road game where the total is 120 to 129.5 over the last 2 seasons.
PRINCETON is 60-40 ATS (+16.0 Units) in road games in non-conference games since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
NORTHEASTERN is 1-0 against the spread versus PRINCETON over the last 3 seasons
PRINCETON is 1-0 straight up against NORTHEASTERN 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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YALE (7 - 2) at RHODE ISLAND (1 - 9) - 12/18/2011, 2:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
YALE is 39-23 ATS (+13.7 Units) in road games in non-conference games since 1997.
RHODE ISLAND is 64-101 ATS (-47.1 Units) in all home games since 1997.
RHODE ISLAND is 64-101 ATS (-47.1 Units) in home lined games since 1997.
RHODE ISLAND is 7-16 ATS (-10.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.
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C MICHIGAN (5 - 5) at IOWA ST (7 - 3) - 12/18/2011, 2:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
C MICHIGAN is 12-24 ATS (-14.4 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
C MICHIGAN is 12-24 ATS (-14.4 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
C MICHIGAN is 7-16 ATS (-10.6 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
C MICHIGAN is 2-9 ATS (-7.9 Units) in December games over the last 2 seasons.
C MICHIGAN is 48-71 ATS (-30.1 Units) in non-conference games since 1997.
C MICHIGAN is 7-18 ATS (-12.8 Units) in road games after failing to cover the spread in 3 or more consecutive games since 1997.
C MICHIGAN is 5-13 ATS (-9.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.
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WM & MARY (2 - 8) at MISSOURI (10 - 0) - 12/18/2011, 3:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WM & MARY is 4-15 ATS (-12.5 Units) when the total is 140 to 149.5 since 1997.
WM & MARY is 33-13 ATS (+18.7 Units) in road games versus good defensive teams - allowing <=64 points/game since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.
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LOYOLA-MARYMOUNT (6 - 4) at FLORIDA ST (7 - 3) - 12/18/2011, 3:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LOYOLA-MARYMOUNT is 162-206 ATS (-64.6 Units) in all games since 1997.
LOYOLA-MARYMOUNT is 162-206 ATS (-64.6 Units) in all lined games since 1997.
LOYOLA-MARYMOUNT is 22-41 ATS (-23.1 Units) when the total is 130 to 139.5 since 1997.
LOYOLA-MARYMOUNT is 32-51 ATS (-24.1 Units) in December games since 1997.
LOYOLA-MARYMOUNT is 66-94 ATS (-37.4 Units) after a non-conference game since 1997.
FLORIDA ST is 6-16 ATS (-11.6 Units) in a home game where the total is 130 to 134.5 since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
FLORIDA ST is 1-0 against the spread versus LOYOLA-MARYMOUNT over the last 3 seasons
FLORIDA ST is 1-0 straight up against LOYOLA-MARYMOUNT 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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VIRGINIA (8 - 1) at OREGON (6 - 2) - 12/18/2011, 5:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
VIRGINIA is 60-85 ATS (-33.5 Units) in road games since 1997.
VIRGINIA is 60-85 ATS (-33.5 Units) in road lined games since 1997.
VIRGINIA is 22-10 ATS (+11.0 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
VIRGINIA is 22-10 ATS (+11.0 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
VIRGINIA is 18-9 ATS (+8.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
VIRGINIA is 1-0 against the spread versus OREGON over the last 3 seasons
VIRGINIA is 1-0 straight up against OREGON 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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LOYOLA-MD (8 - 1) at ST BONAVENTURE (4 - 4) - 12/18/2011, 2:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LOYOLA-MD is 17-5 ATS (+11.5 Units) as a road underdog of 6.5 to 9 points since 1997.
LOYOLA-MD is 92-46 ATS (+41.4 Units) in road games since 1997.
LOYOLA-MD is 92-46 ATS (+41.4 Units) in road lined games since 1997.
ST BONAVENTURE is 55-81 ATS (-34.1 Units) as a favorite since 1997.
ST BONAVENTURE is 10-23 ATS (-15.3 Units) in home games versus good defensive teams - allowing <=64 points/game since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.
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E ILLINOIS (6 - 3) at NORTHWESTERN (8 - 1) - 12/18/2011, 6:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NORTHWESTERN is 23-12 ATS (+9.8 Units) when the total is 130 to 139.5 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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MONTANA ST (5 - 4) at PEPPERDINE (5 - 4) - 12/18/2011, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PEPPERDINE is 9-24 ATS (-17.4 Units) in home games in December games since 1997.
PEPPERDINE is 26-44 ATS (-22.4 Units) in home games after a non-conference game since 1997.
PEPPERDINE is 22-42 ATS (-24.2 Units) in home games in non-conference games since 1997.
PEPPERDINE is 9-21 ATS (-14.1 Units) in home games versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.
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PORTLAND ST (6 - 4) at OREGON ST (8 - 2) - 12/18/2011, 10:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
OREGON ST is 35-22 ATS (+10.8 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
OREGON ST is 35-22 ATS (+10.8 Units) in all lined games over the last 3 seasons.
OREGON ST is 16-5 ATS (+10.5 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 3 seasons.
OREGON ST is 27-11 ATS (+14.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record 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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ORAL ROBERTS (7 - 4) at XAVIER (8 - 0) - 12/18/2011, 1:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ORAL ROBERTS is 3-11 ATS (-9.1 Units) in December games over the last 3 seasons.
XAVIER is 186-147 ATS (+24.3 Units) as a favorite since 1997.
XAVIER is 147-109 ATS (+27.1 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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S DAKOTA (4 - 5) at CANISIUS (1 - 8) - 12/18/2011, 3:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
S DAKOTA is 1-0 against the spread versus CANISIUS over the last 3 seasons
CANISIUS is 1-1 straight up against S DAKOTA 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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IUPU-FT WAYNE (6 - 3) at TENN-MARTIN (3 - 9) - 12/18/2011, 2:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TENN-MARTIN is 50-76 ATS (-33.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
IUPU-FT WAYNE is 1-0 straight up against TENN-MARTIN over the last 3 seasons
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S DAKOTA ST (9 - 4) at WASHINGTON (5 - 4) - 12/18/2011, 3:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
S DAKOTA ST is 0-6 ATS (-6.6 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.
MERCER vs. SETON HALL
No trends available
Seton Hall is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Seton Hall is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
HOLY CROSS vs. CONNECTICUT
No trends available
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Connecticut's last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Connecticut's last 5 games
BRYANT vs. BOSTON COLLEGE
No trends available
Boston College is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home
Boston College is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
GARDNER-WEBB vs. WAKE FOREST
No trends available
Wake Forest is 7-18 SU in its last 25 games
Wake Forest is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home
PRINCETON vs. NORTHEASTERN
Princeton is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Northeastern is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Northeastern is 5-10 ATS in its last 15 games at home
ORAL ROBERTS vs. XAVIER
No trends available
Xavier is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Xavier is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
YALE vs. RHODE ISLAND
Yale is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Rhode Island is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
Rhode Island is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home
IUPU FORT WAYNE vs. TENNESSEE-MARTIN
No trends available
Tennessee-Martin is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home
Tennessee-Martin is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
CENTRAL MICHIGAN vs. IOWA STATE
The total has gone UNDER in 16 of Central Michigan's last 20 games on the road
Central Michigan is 5-9-3 ATS in its last 17 games on the road
Iowa State is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games at home
Iowa State is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
LOYOLA vs. ST. BONAVENTURE
Loyola is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 17 of St. Bonaventure's last 23 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of St. Bonaventure's last 6 games
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE vs. WASHINGTON
No trends available
Washington is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Washington is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
JACKSONVILLE vs. WOFFORD
No trends available
Wofford is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Wofford is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home
CANISIUS vs. SOUTH DAKOTA
Canisius is 1-9 SU in its last 10 games on the road
No trends available
LOYOLA MARYMOUNT vs. FLORIDA STATE
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Loyola Marymount's last 8 games on the road
Loyola Marymount is 3-9 SU in its last 12 games on the road
Florida State is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home
Florida State is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
WILLIAM & MARY vs. MISSOURI
William & Mary is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Missouri is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Missouri is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
MOUNT ST. MARY'S vs. PENN STATE
No trends available
Penn State is 13-5 SU in its last 18 games at home
Penn State is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
NORFOLK STATE vs. ILLINOIS STATE
No trends available
Illinois State is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home
Illinois State is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
VIRGINIA vs. OREGON
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Virginia's last 12 games on the road
Virginia is 6-13 SU in its last 19 games on the road
Oregon is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
Oregon is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games at home
EASTERN ILLINOIS vs. NORTHWESTERN
Eastern Illinois is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Northwestern is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games at home
Northwestern is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games
JACKSON STATE vs. NORTH TEXAS
No trends available
North Texas is 22-3 SU in its last 25 games at home
GRAMBLING STATE vs. TEXAS TECH
No trends available
Texas Tech is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
Texas Tech is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
MONTANA STATE vs. PEPPERDINE
Montana State is 4-15 SU in its last 19 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Montana State's last 5 games on the road
No trends available
NORTH DAKOTA vs. SACRAMENTO STATE
No trends available
Sacramento State is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Sacramento State is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games at home
PORTLAND STATE vs. OREGON STATE
Portland State is 1-11 SU in its last 12 games on the road
Oregon State is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Oregon State is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home
Sunday's Top Trends
PRINCETON is 8-0 ATS (+8 Units) when the line is +3 to -3 (vs Northeastern)
C MICHIGAN is 15-3 UNDER (+11.7 Units) as a road underdog (vs Iowa St)
VIRGINIA is 12-2 UNDER (+9.8 Units) after a non-conference game (vs Oregon)
FLORIDA ST is 6-0 UNDER (+6 Units) as a favorite (vs Loyola-Marymount)
WASHINGTON is 7-0 OVER (+7 Units) after BB non-conference games (S Dakota St)