College Knowledge
-- Seton Hall is 9-3 in its last 12 games vs St John's, winning last three, by 9-14-30 points; Pirates lack quality PG, are turning ball over 23.5% of time, #310 in nation. Hall lost last two road games, by 19-7 points. St John's won last three games, by 4-9-12 points, but they've lost three of last four home games. Big East home faves of 5 or less points are 0-12 vs spread; Big East hosts are 1-15 vs spread if spread is 5 or less. .
-- Michigan State won six of last seven games vs Indiana, but lost 70-55 in LY's visit here, its first loss in last three visits to IU. Big Dozen single digit home favorites are 4-6 vs spread. Spartans won last six games, with three of last five wins by 3 or less points- they're 3-1 on road in league, losing by 13 at Minnesota. Hoosiers are 5-1 in league, with three wins by 8 or less points- they're only Big Dozen loss was at home (Wisc.).
-- Rutgers snapped decade-long losing skid to UConn with 67-60 upset win LY; Knights lost last four visits to UConn, by 14-11-31-14 points. Rutgers is 3-4 in Big East, with three losses by 10+ points; they've lost three of last four games. Big East home favorites are 9-24 vs the spread. Huskies haven't played in eight days; they lost last two games, scoring 58-61 points, but those were against top 10 teams.
-- Richmond won last three of last four games vs UMass, losing by 11 at home to Minutemen LY; Spiders had emotional OT win over crosstown rival VCU Thursday, but they've lost last three road games, by 28-12-15 points. UMass has been off for eight days after splitting first four league games- they lost last game at home to GW. A-16 home favorites of 6 or less points are 11-4 against the spread.
-- Missouri State (+10) won 77-65 at Drake Jan 5, Bears' sixth straight series win (17-2 in last 19); Bulldogs lost last nine visits to Springfield, with 8 of 9 losses by 7+ points. State lost its last four games, scoring an average of 57.5 ppg. Drake won three of last four games after 0-4 start in Valley, upsetting Creighton last game. MVC home teams are 8-3 against spread in games where number is 5 or less points.
-- Home side won both Cal-Colorado games LY, with Bears scoring 57 points in both games. Buffs won last two games, allowing 49-54 points; they've allowed 60 or less points in three league wins, 64+ in four losses. Cal split its four Pac-12 road games; all three of their league losses are by 10+ points. Pac-12 home favorites are 10-25 vs spread, 7-15 if spread is 7 or less points. Colorado won two of three Pac-12 home games.
-- Purdue won 10 of last 11 games vs Iowa, winning last five in Mackey Arena, by 1-22-23-23-7 points. Boilers won three of last four games, are 2-1 at home in Big Dozen, winning by 7-18 points, losing to Ohio State. Iowa is 2-4 in league, 1-2 on road, with losses by 28 at Michigan, 9 at Ohio State (won at Northwestern). Big Dozen home favorites of 5 or less points are 3-5. Iowa lost last five times they scored less than 70.
-- Creighton lost last two games, scoring 64-69 points, after 17-1 start; Bluejays won last nine games vs Southern Illinois, winning last four trips to Carbondale by 22-5-6-19 points, with two closer games both in OT. Salukis are 1-2 at home in Valley, with home losses by 6-14 points; only MVC win in eight tries is over Indiana State. MVC home underdogs are 8-5 vs spread; double digit favorites are 6-8.
-- Michigan won last three games vs Illinois by 5-9-11 points; they are 5-1 in league, with all five wins by 8+ points; even in loss, Wolverines lost by 3 after trailing 29-8 early on. Illini is 3-5 in last eight games after 12-0 start, losing last two home games by 17-14 points, but they upset Ohio State at home, too. Big Dozen home underdogs are 7-9 vs spread. LY's win here ended Michigan's 6+-game losing skid in Champaign.
-- Miami (5-0) is ACC's only unbeaten team after whacking Duke by 27 last game; Hurricanes lost 12 of last 14 games vs Florida State, but they split last four played here. 8 of last 11 series games were decided by 7 or less points. State is 3-2 in ACC, with four of five games decided by 5 or less points; they split pair of road games, losing by 20 at Virginia. ACC double digit home favorites are 5-1 vs spread.
-- Northeastern is 7-0 in CAA, winning its home games by 4-5-4 points. Huskies (+7.5) won 84-74 at George Mason Jan 3, making 9-16 treys-- they're 4-2 in last six series games, winning four of last five played here. Patriots won five of last six games, with road wins at Wm&Mary and Towson, and odd loss at UNCW. CAA home teams are 7-11 vs spread if number was 4 or less. Huskies will have 3-game lead with win here.
-- Iona won seven of last eight games, including win at St Bonaventure; home side won Gaels' last five meetings with Loyola, losing by 3-6 in last two visits here- teams split last 12 series games. Greyhounds won six of last seven games, winning last four MAAC home games. MAAC home favorites of 6 or less points are 4-7 vs spread. Winner stays game behind Niagara, if Purple Eagles beat Canisius.
-- First game with rival Niagara for Canisius coach Baron, whose Griffs are 13-7 after being 5-25 LY; Canisius lost 16 of last 19 games vs Eagles, who've won last eight MAAC games, nine of last 11 overall- they're 4-1 on MAAC road, losing by 11 at Iona. MAAC home teams are 7-11 vs spread if number is 6 or less points. Canisius allowed an average of 51.3 ppg in winning last three games- they're 3-1 at home in MAAC.
Armadillosports.com
Sunday's Tip Sheet
By David Schwab
VegasInsider.com
The Big Ten takes center stage this Sunday in men’s college basketball with a pair of matchups that could go a long way towards deciding which team come away with the regular season conference title. The following is a brief betting guide for both showdowns along with a look at the top matchup in the ACC on Sunday’s slate.
Big Ten Showdowns
No. 13 Michigan State Spartans at No. 7 Indiana Hoosiers
Michigan State has strung together six straight wins including a huge 49-47 victory over Wisconsin this past Tuesday as a five-point underdog on the road. The Spartans are first in the Big Ten at 6-1 and 17-3 straight up overall. They are 3-2-1 against the spread in the last five games but just 6-10-1 ATS overall. The total stayed UNDER in three of the last five games.
The thing that makes Michigan State so dangerous is solid depth on the bench and balance on offense with five different players averaging at least nine points a game. As a team, it is averaging 69.2 points a game while shooting 46.4 percent from the floor. Even better, has been a defensive effort that is holding opponents to just 57.8 points a game.
Indiana remains a legitimate contender to win the conference this season with a 5-1 record out of the gate. It bounced back from a 64-59 loss to the Badgers on Jan. 15 as a 10½-point home favorite with routine double-digit victories over Northwestern and Penn State in its last two games. The Hoosiers are 17-2 SU but after failing to cover in six of their last seven games, they have fallen to 9-8 ATS on the year. The total has stayed UNDER in five of their last six games.
While Indiana has given-up a few more points a game (59.9) than the Spartans, it has won the majority of its outings by simply outscoring everyone with an average 83.7 points, which is the second-highest total in the nation. Player of the Year candidate Cody Zeller has led the way with 16.4 points and 8.2 rebounds a game, however the Hoosiers also boast solid depth with four other players averaging at least 10 points a game.
The Wolverine has won six of the last seven meetings SU while holding a slight 4-3 edge ATS. The total has stayed UNDER in four of the last six games.
No. 2 Michigan Wolverines at Illinois Fighting Illini
After Duke’s shocking 27-point loss to Miami earlier this week, the Wolverines are poised to move into the No. 1 spot in the nation with a victory on Sunday. They took care of business this past Thursday night with a 68-53 romp over Purdue in a game that ended as a PUSH. Michigan heads into this matchup 18-1 SU overall and 10-6-1 ATS. Its only setback so far was a 56-53 road loss to Ohio State on Jan. 13 as a two-point underdog. The total has stayed UNDER in three of its last five games.
What makes Michigan one of the top teams in the nation is the ability to shoot the lights out of the ball with a 50.9 shooting percentage from the field. It is hitting 41.1 percent from three-point range and 71.3 percent from the foul line. Heading up this performance is the duo of Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway Jr. The backcourt has combined for 34 points, 8.2 rebounds and 9.8 assists. Glen Robinson III leads the team in rebounds with 5.9 a game while chipping-in another 12.1 points.
Illinois has the unenviable task of trying to pull off the upset with a team that has just three victories in its last eight games. It did knock-off Nebraska by 20 points its last time out as a five-point road favorite but that was just the second time it covered in its last nine games. The Fighting Illini are 15-5 SU overall with a 6-10 record ATS. They are now 2-4 both SU and ATS in conference play and the total has stayed UNDER in five of those games.
Given that Illinois is averaging 72.8 points a game but shooting just 43.1 percent from the field, it is going to need a monster performance from Brandon Paul this Sunday. He leads the team with 18 points and 4.8 rebounds and is second in assists with three a game. Overall, the team has not only struggled to consistently shoot the ball from the field it is hitting 33.6 percent from three-point range and has had trouble under the boards with 35.4 rebounds a game.
Michigan is 3-1 SU and 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings and the total has gone OVER in the last two games between the two.
ACC Game of the Day
Florida State Seminoles at No. 25 Miami Hurricanes
The Seminoles snapped a two-game skid this past Thursday with a 60-57 victory over Clemson but they could not cover as five-point favorites at home. They are now 11-7 SU on the year and an even 8-8 ATS. The total has stayed UNDER in their last three games after going OVER in their previous five. The main thing that Florida State has going for it coming into this matchup is a defense that is giving-up 66.6 points a game but holding its opponents to shooting just 41.1 percent from the field.
Miami is riding high after taking down the No. 1 team in the nation in a game that was never even close. The win over Duke improved its record to a perfect 5-0 in conference play while opening-up a two-game lead in the ACC. Overall, the Hurricanes are 14-3 SU and a very profitable 11-3 ATS. They have been perfect at home with eight-straight victories and a 6-0 record ATS in games with a posted line. The total has stayed UNDER in 10 of their last 12 games. Sunday’s state showdown should be a great defensive battle considering that Miami is allowing just 58.7 points a game while holding teams to shooting 36.9 percent from the floor.
The Seminoles are 8-2 SU in the last 10 meetings but Miami holds the slight edge ATS with a record of 4-3-3. The total has gone OVER in six of those games.
Sunday's Top 25 NCAAB Betting Notes
By Covers.com
There are just three Top-25 matchups on Sunday. Check out our betting news and notes for those contests.
Michigan State Spartans at Indiana Hoosiers (-10, 134)
The last time Indiana hosted Michigan State 11 months ago, the Hoosiers ended a six-game losing streak in the series. When they meet again on Sunday in Bloomington, one will do so with a chance to establish some breathing room atop the Big Ten standings near the midpoint of the conference season. By virtue of already playing seven league contests, No. 11 Michigan State has won one move win than No. 3 Michigan and No. 8 Indiana, each of which has played six games. With the Wolverines facing a tough road test in Illinois on Sunday, the winner of this contest could claim the top spot in the Big Ten for a short while, at least until the Spartans and Hoosiers meet again in East Lansing on Feb. 19. Indiana moved to 12-1 at home this season with Wednesday’s 72-49 pounding of Penn State while Michigan State extended its winning streak to six games with Tuesday’s grinding 49-47 victory at Wisconsin.
Michigan Wolverines at Illinois Fighting Illini (+6, 136)
No. 3 Michigan faces Illinois in Champaign on Sunday and, with a win, could take over the top spot in the national rankings. It's the second time in three weeks that the Wolverines are potentially a victory away from the No. 1 slot. Michigan fell to Ohio State in Columbus on Jan. 13, 56-53. Since, the Wolverines have beaten Minnesota on the road and Purdue at home to re-establish themselves. After starting 8-0 at Assembly Hall, the Fighting Illini have dropped their last two home contests - double-digit affairs against Minnesota and Northwestern. Those games were part of a three-game losing streak for Illinois, but a 20-point win at Nebraska on Tuesday should serve as something of a confidence booster entering the matchup with the Wolverines, who will be anxious to avenge their earlier misstep against the Buckeyes.
Creighton Bluejays at Southern Illinois Salukis (+12.5, 141)
Creighton will try to right the ship when it travels to Southern Illinois for a Missouri Valley Conference game Sunday evening. The No. 12 Bluejays are coming off back-to-back losses for the first time this season, dropping them out of first place in conference play. They lost by three points to No. 21 Wichita State last weekend, then fell to Drake—a team Creighton had defeated by 30 points 15 days earlier—by five on Wednesday. Doug McDermott, second in the nation in scoring at 23.8, was limited to two points in the second half against Drake because of illness. Southern Illinois will be without one of its best players against the Bluejays. Jeff Early, a senior guard who’s averaging 12.7 points and 7.5 rebounds, will serve a one-game suspension after committing a flagrant-2 foul in Wednesday’s loss to Northern Iowa.
Sunday's College Basketball Game of the Day: Michigan State vs. Indiana
Atssportsline.com
Michigan State (17-3 SU, 6-10-1 ATS) is finally starting to gel. After they fell to Minnesota on the road, 76-63 on Dec. 31, the Spartans won six in a row including a 49-47 slugfest at Wisconsin, getting 5. They want to slow it down, while Indiana wants to push the tempo.Indiana (17-3 SU, 6-10-1 ATS) has won two straight, including a 72-49 win over Penn Sate on Wednesday, giving 24. Their disappointing loss to Wisconsin at home on Jan. 15, 64-59, showed that they can be vulnerable on their home court and to physical teams. Favorite is 7-3 ATS last 10 in series. Michigan State visits Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind to take on the Hoosiers at 1pmET.
Latest Odds: Indiana is a 9.5-point favorite.
Key Betting Trends:
Michigan State is:
3-7 ATS in their last 10 road games.
2-6-1 ATS in their last 9 games following a S.U. win.
1-4 ATS in their last 5 Sunday games.
1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS win.
1-6 ATS last 7 on the road in series.
Indiana is:
Home team is 16-5 ATS in the last 21 meetings.
Favorite is 7-3 ATS in the last 10 meetings.
1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS loss.
0-4 ATS in their last 4 home games.
0-4 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
Key Injuries:
Michigan State:
F Alex Gauna (flu) is ?
Indiana:
none.
Preview:
Tom Izzo takes his physical Michigan State team to Bloomington to take on the talented Hoosiers. Michigan State has been on a roll, winning six straight games. They average just 68 points per game and shoot 47% from the floor. But Izzo's teams win with defense. They allow just 58 points per game while teams only shot 38.4% from the floor against them and 31.1% from the three-point line. They also outrebound teams by 5 per game.
Indiana struggled against a physical Wisconsin team three games ago and that has to concern coach Tom Crean, who's has to be proud of his brothers-in-law, John and Jim Harbaugh, gearing up for next week's Super Bowl in New Orleans. Indiana averages 83.7 points per game, so they want to go uptempo. They also shoot it well, making 50% from the floor and 42.2% from beyond the arc. That's a problem for Michigan State, who only shoots it 33.8% from the three-point line. They also allow just 59.9 points per game, while teams shoot 37% from the field against them and 30.1% from the three-point line.
Cody Zeller leads Indiana in scoring and rebounding at 16.4ppg and 8.2rpg, while shooting 61% from the floor. The 7-footer will probably be matched up against Derrick Nix, who is 6-9, 270 and can't be moved from the paint. He averages 9.1ppg and 6.8rpg.
Michigan State has a really good guard in Keith Appling, who averages 14ppg and 4.2apg, while shooting 42% from the floor. He'll need a big game to give Sparty the win.
CBB: Streaks, Trends, Notes
Sportspic.com
Michigan State at Indiana
The Indiana Hoosiers (17-2, 9-8 ATS) try to jump Michigan State (17-3, 6-10-1 ATS) in the Big Ten standings when the two collide at Assembly Hall Sunday afternoon. Indiana led by Cody Zeller (16.4 PPG), Victor Oladipo (13.5 PPG) sport the second most potent scoring offense in the nation averaging 83.7 PPG. Spartans on the other hand take a defensive approach to the game scoring oonly 69.2 PPG but surrendering just 57.8 points holding opponents to 37.8% shooting. Plenty of reason to back Indiana. It's tough for any team to win at Assembly Hall as Hoosiers are a near perfect 12-1 (7-4 ATS) in front of the home crowd this season and have run the mark to an impressive 30-2 (17-6 ATS) dating back to last season. Spartans are on a 1-6 ATS skid last seven trips into Indiana, 2-10 ATS slide L10 playing on Hoosiers hardwood and have a 3-7 ATS stretch last ten away from East Lansing.
College Basketball Point Spread and Picks
By: The Linemakers
Sportingnews.com
There are four top 25 games on Sunday’s college basketball schedule. Here are some trends to consider, as well as some insight from The Linemakers on Sporting News.
The lines below are from the LVH SuperBook as of about 9:30 a.m. PT.
Florida State vs. No 25 Miami – 6:00 p.m. ET
Line: Miami -9.5, Total: 129.5
Trends:
• Seminoles are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 road games.
• Seminoles are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 Sunday games.
• Seminoles are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 vs. Atlantic Coast.
• Hurricanes are 11-3 ATS in their last 14 home games.
• Hurricanes are 19-7-1 ATS in their last 27 games overall.
• Over is 16-7 in Seminoles' last 23 overall.
• Under is 12-3-1 in Hurricanes' last 16 overall.
• Under is 4-1-1 in Hurricanes' last 6 home games.
• Under is 4-1 in Hurricanes' last 5 vs. Atlantic Coast.
The Linemakers’ take: Miami was super impressive in the 27-point win over Duke on Wednesday. Florida State has had an off year so far (11-7) by their recent standards, but they do have wins over BYU, St Joe's and at Maryland. Led by Michael Snaer (14.5 ppg), the Seminoles are a good 3-point shooting team. This could be a letdown spot for Miami; they may still be celebrating. It's a big rivalry, and these two teams play each other tough. This is too many points in what will be a hard fought physical battle. Florida State +9.5 is the pick.
No. 13 Michigan State vs. No. 7 Indiana – 1:00 p.m. ET
Line: Indiana -9.5, Total: 135.5
Trends:
• Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Indiana.
• Home team is 16-5 ATS in the last 21 meetings.
• Favorite is 7-3 ATS in the last 10 meetings.
• Spartans are 1-6 ATS in the last 7 meetings in Indiana.
No. 2 Michigan vs. Illinois – 6:00 p.m. ET
Line: Michigan -6.5, Total: 137
Trends:
• Wolverines are 4-0 ATS in the last 4 meetings.
• Home team is 19-5 ATS in the last 24 meetings.
• Under is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings.
• Underdog is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
No. 17 Creighton vs. Southern Illinois – 8:00 p.m. ET
Line: Creighton -10, Total: 138.5
Trends:
• Bluejays are 5-0 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
• Over is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in Southern Illinois.
• Bluejays are 7-0 ATS in the last 7 meetings in Southern Illinois.
• Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
• Road team is 21-7 ATS in the last 28 meetings.