Tuesday's Best NCAAB Bets
By Covers.com
Duke Blue Devils at Ohio State Buckeyes (-5.5, 144)
Like so many of us, the Ohio State Buckeyes battled through a turkey hangover when they got back to work following Thanksgiving weekend.
They went into the half against Valparaiso up just four points. Luckily for Buckeyes bettors, they shook it off in the second half and cruised to an 80-47 victory as a 22.5-point favorite. Jared Sullinger had another huge game, posting 14 points, 13 rebounds and five assists.
“We weren’t communicating enough, and I think that’s a big sign that we weren’t ready to play,” guard Aaron Craft told reporters. “Coach always says that’s one of the biggest ‘tells’ he has when we’re not ready. We did a good job fixing that in the second half.”
They won’t get away with that kind of effort with Duke visiting Tuesday. The Blue Devils are rolling along at 6-0 straight up and just downed Michigan and Kansas to claim another Maui Invitational title, covering the number in both of those wins.
Pick: Blue Devils
Michigan Wolverines at Virginia Cavaliers (-2.5, 112)
Virginia heads into Tuesday’s date with the Michigan Wolverines owning one of the country’s best defenses. The Cavaliers are giving up just 45.3 points per game on 33.5 percent shooting, but they haven’t faced anything close to the caliber of offense Michigan will bring at them.
The Wolverines have already faced some tough competition at the Maui Invitational. They knocked off then-No. 8 Memphis and gave Duke a run for its money before beating UCLA in the third-place game.
"You don't know how people are going to do when all of a sudden, the teams and the coaches that you see on television every day, and all of a sudden, it's you," Michigan coach John Beilein told reporters. "I really liked what we saw from there."
Virginia has covered in 18 of its last 25 overall but Michigan is a tasty moneyline pick here.
Pick: Wolverines
NCAAB Preview
Cincinnati won its last nine games vs Miami, winning by 10-8-6-4-16 in five games since Huggins left; Bearcats still haven't played a road game- they lost two of last three games, to Presbyterian/Marshall. Miami lost its two road games vs D-I opponents, losing by 6 at Xavier, by 7 at SE Missouri State. Big East double digit home favorites are 8-13 vs spread; MAC double digit road underdogs are 5-4.
Michigan won two of three games in Maui last week, losing to Duke by 7, beating Memphis by 12, UCLA by 16- this is first true road game for Wolverines. Virginia is 5-1, allowing average of 45 ppg; their only loss was by hoop to TCU. Cavaliers are getting 30% of points on foul line, making 78%. ACC home favorites of 11 or less points are 4-1 vs spread; Big Dozen teams are 10-5 vs spread in games with spread of 6 or less.
Old Dominion won 81-68 at East Carolina LY; Monarchs are 3-3, losing last game at home to Vermont in OT. East Carolina is 1-1 vs D-I foes, losing by hoop at Campbell, beating Appalachian State by 20- they've played three non-D-I games. CAA home favorites are 2-6 vs spread so far this season; C-USA road underdogs of 11 or less points are 9-7-1. ODU has its conference opener Saturday at Northeastern.
5-0 Northwestern is playing first true road game; they won tourney in Charleston, beating LSU-Tulsa-Seton Hall, all by 7 or less points. LY, Wildcats beat Georgia Tech at home by 20. Jackets were in same event in Charleston, losing two of three games. ACC teams are 7-10 vs spread in games where spread is 5 or less points; Big Dozen teams are 10-5 vs spread in games with spread of 6 or less.
This is first true road game for young Illinois team is 6-0, winning event down in Cancun; best win they've had is 70-61 over #88 Richmond on neutral court. #104 Maryland lost its two games vs top 100 teams by 26 to Iona, 20 to Alabama. Terps' best win was over #122 Colorado. Big Dozen road favorites of 6 or less points are 6-2 vs spread; ACC single digit underdogs are 4-7.
3-2 Houston lost its last two games by total of 3 points to Oakland and TCU; they've given up average of 78 ppg in last four games. LSU lost two of last three games, losing at home in OT to South Alabama in last game- they lost only road game, at Coastal Carolina. Conference USA teams are 4-13-1 vs spread in games with spread of 5 or less points; SEC teams are 8-3 against the spread.
4-2 Arizona lost its last two games, scoring 57 points both games; they won only true road game by point at St John's. Wildcats won 83-57 LY vs New Mexico State. Aggies won two of three in Alaska; they get to foul line more than anyone in country, but struggled vs athletic Southern Miss team that is similar to Arizona. Pac-12 road underdogs of 6 or less points are 3-8 vs spread; WAC home faves of 8 or less points are 2-6.
4-1 Miami lost first road game in OT at Ole Miss Saturday, after falling behind 15-0 early; Hurricanes' best win is over #127 Rutgers. Purdue is 3-1 as favorite this season, with only loss to Alabama on neutral court. Boilermakers are making 39.8% from arc but just 64% from foul line. Big Dozen home favorites of 15 or less points are 8-2-1 vs spread; ACC road underdogs are 5-7 against the spread.
Iowa lost to only two top 200 teams they played, by 23 to Creighton, 16 at home to Campbell; Hawkeyes' best win so far is over #210 IPFW. Clemson won its only road game by 23 at Citadel, but they've lost two home games, by total of 4 points to Charleston/Coastal Carolina. Big Dozen teams are 8-4 vs spread in games where spread is 5 or less points; ACC teams are 7-10.
Ohio State is betting favorite to win national title, but they've lost three starters from LY's 34-3 team; Buckeyes only have one senior (Buford), but he is very good shooter. Duke beat Michigan/Kansas out in Maui, both by 7 points. Buckeyes already have one top 10 win, at home by 7 over Florida. ACC road underdogs of 4+ points are 2-4 vs spread; Big Dozen home favorites of 5+ points are 12-4-1.
Saint Louis was impressive in beating Villanova/Oklahoma to win event in Anaheim; Billikens won only true road game, at Southern Illinois by 19- they were up 25 at half in win over #41 Washington. LMU upset UCLA, then lost at home to Middle Tennessee by 7, Harvard by 10. Atlantic 14 single digit road favorites are 10-8 vs spread; WCC home teams are 2-6 vs spread in games where spread is single digits.
Young UTEP squad is 1-3, losing only road game at New Mexico State by 16; Miners also lost to UTSA by 9, SF Austin by 18- they've made just 31% from arc, are turning ball over 25+ times/game. Oregon is 3-1 with a win at Nebraska; they're 1-1 as a favorite. Conference USA road underdogs of 6+ points are 6-3 vs spread; Pac-12 home favorites are 10-18, 8-12 if spread is double digits.
3-3 Manhattan split pair of games with Ivy League foes, beating Brown by a hoop, losing to Columbia by 18 in last game; Jaspers turn ball over 25 times a game and shoot less than 30% from arc. 3-4 Penn lost its last three games, scoring 60.3 ppg; they beat Rider in OT, in only game vs MAAC opponent. Ivy League favorites are 4-5 vs spread; MAAC road underdogs of 13 or less points are 8-5.
MIAMI OHIO (2 - 2) at CINCINNATI (3 - 2)
Top Trends for this game.
MIAMI OHIO is 16-6 ATS (+9.4 Units) as a road underdog of 12.5 or more points since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 6-15 ATS (-10.5 Units) when the total is 120 to 129.5 over the last 3 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 2-12 ATS (-11.2 Units) in a home game where the total is 120 to 129.5 over the last 3 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 7-18 ATS (-12.8 Units) in home games in November games since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
CINCINNATI is 1-1 against the spread versus MIAMI OHIO over the last 3 seasons
CINCINNATI is 2-0 straight up against MIAMI OHIO over the last 3 seasons
2 of 2 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
E MICHIGAN (4 - 2) at SYRACUSE (6 - 0)
Top Trends for this game.
E MICHIGAN is 106-144 ATS (-52.4 Units) as an underdog since 1997.
SYRACUSE is 55-79 ATS (-31.9 Units) 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.
MICHIGAN (5 - 1) at VIRGINIA (5 - 1)
Top Trends for this game.
MICHIGAN is 19-35 ATS (-19.5 Units) in November games since 1997.
VIRGINIA is 20-10 ATS (+9.0 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
VIRGINIA is 20-10 ATS (+9.0 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
VIRGINIA is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) versus good defensive teams - allowing <=64 points/game over the last 2 seasons.
MICHIGAN is 24-10 ATS (+13.0 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MICHIGAN is 24-10 ATS (+13.0 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
MICHIGAN is 14-5 ATS (+8.5 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
MICHIGAN is 20-8 ATS (+11.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
MICHIGAN is 19-7 ATS (+11.3 Units) versus good defensive teams - allowing <=64 points/game over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.
E CAROLINA (4 - 1) at OLD DOMINION (3 - 3)
Top Trends for this game.
E CAROLINA is 138-178 ATS (-57.8 Units) in all games since 1997.
E CAROLINA is 138-178 ATS (-57.8 Units) in all lined games since 1997.
OLD DOMINION is 91-126 ATS (-47.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
OLD DOMINION is 1-0 against the spread versus E CAROLINA over the last 3 seasons
OLD DOMINION is 1-0 straight up against E CAROLINA over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
NORTHWESTERN (5 - 0) at GEORGIA TECH (4 - 2)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
NORTHWESTERN is 1-0 against the spread versus GEORGIA TECH over the last 3 seasons
NORTHWESTERN is 1-0 straight up against GEORGIA TECH over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
ILLINOIS (5 - 1) at MARYLAND (3 - 2)
Top Trends for this game.
ILLINOIS is 24-41 ATS (-21.1 Units) in road games after scoring 80 points or more since 1997.
MARYLAND is 32-12 ATS (+18.8 Units) in home games versus good defensive teams - allowing <=64 points/game since 1997.
MARYLAND is 6-15 ATS (-10.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
MARYLAND is 1-0 against the spread versus ILLINOIS over the last 3 seasons
ILLINOIS is 1-0 straight up against MARYLAND over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
LSU (3 - 3) at HOUSTON (3 - 2)
Top Trends for this game.
HOUSTON is 15-5 ATS (+9.5 Units) in home games on Tuesday nights since 1997.
LSU is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in November games over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
LSU is 1-0 against the spread versus HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
LSU is 1-0 straight up against HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
N TEXAS (1 - 3) at TEXAS (3 - 2)
Top Trends for this game.
TEXAS is 15-5 ATS (+9.5 Units) in home games on Tuesday nights since 1997.
TEXAS is 1-8 ATS (-7.8 Units) after failing to cover the spread in 3 or more consecutive games over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.
ARIZONA (4 - 2) at NEW MEXICO ST (5 - 1)
Top Trends for this game.
NEW MEXICO ST is 15-4 ATS (+10.6 Units) as a favorite over the last 3 seasons.
ARIZONA is 63-41 ATS (+17.9 Units) as an underdog since 1997.
ARIZONA is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) in road games after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
ARIZONA is 1-0 against the spread versus NEW MEXICO ST over the last 3 seasons
ARIZONA is 1-0 straight up against NEW MEXICO ST over the last 3 seasons
MIAMI (4 - 1) at PURDUE (6 - 1)
Top Trends for this game.
PURDUE is 11-2 ATS (+8.8 Units) in all home games over the last 2 seasons.
PURDUE is 11-2 ATS (+8.8 Units) in home lined games over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 102-70 ATS (+25.0 Units) as an underdog since 1997.
MIAMI is 84-59 ATS (+19.1 Units) in road games since 1997.
MIAMI is 84-59 ATS (+19.1 Units) in road lined games since 1997.
MIAMI is 15-6 ATS (+8.4 Units) in non-conference games over the last 3 seasons.
MIAMI is 95-66 ATS (+22.4 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
MIAMI is 63-41 ATS (+17.9 Units) 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.
CLEMSON (3 - 2) at IOWA (4 - 2)
Top Trends for this game.
CLEMSON is 7-18 ATS (-12.8 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
IOWA is 183-225 ATS (-64.5 Units) in all games since 1997.
IOWA is 183-225 ATS (-64.5 Units) in all lined games since 1997.
IOWA is 64-93 ATS (-38.3 Units) in non-conference games since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.
DUKE (7 - 0) at OHIO ST (6 - 0)
Top Trends for this game.
OHIO ST is 41-24 ATS (+14.6 Units) when the total is 140 to 149.5 since 1997.
OHIO ST is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) in home games after scoring 80 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
OHIO ST is 175-137 ATS (+24.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
DUKE is 25-13 ATS (+10.7 Units) when the total is 140 to 149.5 over the last 3 seasons.
DUKE is 23-12 ATS (+9.8 Units) versus good defensive teams - allowing <=64 points/game over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.
SAINT LOUIS (6 - 0) at LOYOLA-MARYMOUNT (3 - 2)
Top Trends for this game.
SAINT LOUIS is 10-24 ATS (-16.4 Units) in road games after a non-conference game since 1997.
LOYOLA-MARYMOUNT is 161-203 ATS (-62.3 Units) in all games since 1997.
LOYOLA-MARYMOUNT is 161-203 ATS (-62.3 Units) in all lined games since 1997.
LOYOLA-MARYMOUNT is 65-91 ATS (-35.1 Units) after a non-conference game since 1997.
LOYOLA-MARYMOUNT is 0-7 ATS (-7.7 Units) in home games 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.
UTEP (1 - 3) at OREGON (3 - 1)
Top Trends for this game.
OREGON is 1-11 ATS (-11.1 Units) in a home game where the total is 130 to 134.5 since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.
MANHATTAN (3 - 3) at PENNSYLVANIA (3 - 4)
Top Trends for this game.
PENNSYLVANIA is 63-91 ATS (-37.1 Units) in all home games since 1997.
PENNSYLVANIA is 63-91 ATS (-37.1 Units) in home lined games since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
MANHATTAN is 1-0 against the spread versus PENNSYLVANIA over the last 3 seasons
MANHATTAN is 1-0 straight up against PENNSYLVANIA over the last 3 seasons
SE MISSOURI ST (3 - 3) at ARKANSAS ST (1 - 4)
Top Trends for this game.
SE MISSOURI ST is 16-6 ATS (+9.4 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
ARKANSAS ST is 1-0 against the spread versus SE MISSOURI ST over the last 3 seasons
ARKANSAS ST is 2-0 straight up against SE MISSOURI ST over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
EAST CAROLINA vs. OLD DOMINION
East Carolina is 6-13 SU in its last 19 games on the road
East Carolina is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Old Dominion
Old Dominion is 16-5 SU in its last 21 games
Old Dominion is 20-3 SU in its last 23 games at home
TEXAS SOUTHERN vs. BALL STATE
No trends available
Ball State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
MANHATTAN vs. PENNSYLVANIA
Manhattan is 11-2-1 ATS in its last 14 games on the road
Manhattan is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Pennsylvania is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Pennsylvania is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games at home
MIAMI (OHIO) vs. CINCINNATI
Miami (Ohio) is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Miami (Ohio) is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Cincinnati
Cincinnati is 10-5 SU in its last 15 games
Cincinnati is 20-5 SU in its last 25 games at home
EASTERN KENTUCKY vs. DELAWARE STATE
Eastern Kentucky is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games on the road
No trends available
MICHIGAN vs. VIRGINIA
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Michigan's last 6 games on the road
Virginia is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Virginia is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
COLGATE vs. FORDHAM
No trends available
Fordham is 2-19 SU in its last 21 games
Fordham is 2-8 SU in its last 10 games at home
HOLY CROSS vs. PROVIDENCE
No trends available
Providence is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Providence is 8-17 SU in its last 25 games
EASTERN MICHIGAN vs. SYRACUSE
Eastern Michigan is 1-9 SU in its last 10 games on the road
Syracuse is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Syracuse is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
YALE vs. HARTFORD
Yale is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Hartford
No trends available
NORTHWESTERN vs. GEORGIA TECH
Northwestern is 7-18 SU in its last 25 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Northwestern's last 15 games on the road
Georgia Tech is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Georgia Tech is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
GEORGIA STATE vs. SOUTH CAROLINA STATE
Georgia State is 3-13 ATS in its last 16 games on the road
Georgia State is 4-21 SU in its last 25 games on the road
No trends available
ILLINOIS vs. MARYLAND
Illinois is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Illinois is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Maryland is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games at home
Maryland is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Illinois
PRAIRIE VIEW A&M vs. BAYLOR
No trends available
Baylor is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Baylor is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
EAST TENNESSEE STATE vs. TROY
No trends available
Troy is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games
LSU vs. HOUSTON
LSU is 1-9 SU in its last 10 games on the road
Houston is 4-14 SU in its last 18 games
Houston is 16-8 SU in its last 24 games at home
NORTH TEXAS vs. TEXAS
North Texas is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games on the road
Texas is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games
Texas is 21-4 SU in its last 25 games at home
ARKANSAS-LITTLE ROCK vs. NORTHWESTERN STATE
Arkansas-Little Rock is 7-18 SU in its last 25 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Arkansas-Little Rock's last 5 games on the road
No trends available
SE MISSOURI STATE vs. ARKANSAS STATE
SE Missouri State is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games on the road
Arkansas State is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
Arkansas State is 14-2 SU in its last 16 games at home
ALABAMA STATE vs. EVANSVILLE
No trends available
Evansville is 4-8 SU in its last 12 games
Evansville is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games at home
ARIZONA vs. NEW MEXICO STATE
Arizona is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Arizona's last 7 games on the road
New Mexico State is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of New Mexico State's last 7 games
MIAMI vs. PURDUE
Miami is 2-2-2 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Miami is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Purdue is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
Purdue is 18-2 SU in its last 20 games at home
CLEMSON vs. IOWA
Clemson is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games on the road
Iowa is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Iowa is 8-17 SU in its last 25 games
DUKE vs. OHIO STATE
Duke is 13-5 SU in its last 18 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Duke's last 6 games on the road
Ohio State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Ohio State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
SAINT LOUIS vs. LOYOLA MARYMOUNT
Saint Louis is 4-13 SU in its last 17 games on the road
Loyola Marymount is 6-15 SU in its last 21 games
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Loyola Marymount's last 11 games
TEXAS EL PASO vs. OREGON
Texas El Paso is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Texas El Paso is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Oregon is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Oregon's last 9 games
Tuesday's Top Trends
MICHIGAN is 14-5 ATS as an underdog
VIRGINIA is 11-1 Under off non-conference game
NORTHWESTERN is 9-1 ATS off 3+ SU wins
GEORGIA TECH is 12-1 Under after allowing 60 pts or less
ILLINOIS is 0-7 ATS off home win scoring 85 points or more
PURDUE is 10-2 ATS as home favorite or pick
IOWA is 38-61 ATS off home win by 10+
CLEMSON is 6-0 Under after a combined score of 115 points or less
OHIO ST is 8-1 ATS off BB home games
SE MISSOURI ST is 9-0 ATS vs. teams shooting worse than 39%
OREGON is 1-11 ATS in a home game where the total is 130 to 134.5
CINCINNATI is 2-12 ATS at home if total is 129.5 or less
MIAMI (OH) is 11-2 ATS off road loss where they scored 60 or less pts
Big 10/ACC Challenge
By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com
The 13th installment of the Big 10/ACC Challenge takes place over the next two days as all 12 teams from each conference will participate. Six games will be showcased tonight, including Northwestern visiting Georgia Tech, Maryland hosting Illinois, Purdue entertaining Miami, and Clemson tussling with Iowa. We'll start in Charlottesville with a pair of 5-1 clubs getting together to kick off the challenge.
Michigan at Virginia (-3, 115)
The Wolverines won two of three games in the Maui Invitational, as Michigan makes its first ever trip to Virginia to battle the Cavaliers. UVA has been favored in all four lined games, while winning and covering each of the last three contests. However, this will be the biggest test this early season for Tony Bennett's squad.
Virginia's three home victories have come against South Carolina State, Winthrop, and Green Bay, as the Cavs have held each opponent to 48 points or less. The lone hiccup for the Wahoos through six games was a 57-55 setback to TCU as 9½-point favorites, but Virginia has seen the 'under' cash in all four lined contests.
Michigan has been pointspread gold since last January by compiling a 16-3 ATS record, including an 11-1 ATS mark as an underdog. The lone 'dog loss came in Maui against Duke, 82-75, as John Beilein's team failed to cash despite receiving 6½ points. Since starting Big 10 road play at 0-3 SU/ATS last January, the Wolverines are 4-2 SU and 6-0 ATS in their last six true away contests.
The Wolverines ended a four-game skid in this challenge last December with a 69-61 victory at Clemson, shocking backers by winning outright as 9½-point underdogs. The Cavs have split each of their last six challenge contests, while shocking then 13th-ranked Minnesota, 87-79 as 13-point road 'dogs.
Duke at Ohio State (-6½, 144)
Two of the nation's top three teams get together at Value City Arena in Columbus for the most anticipated game of this challenge. The Blue Devils are just 3-4 ATS, but are coming off the Maui Invitational title with a 68-61 triumph over Kansas as five-point favorites. Duke takes on an Ohio State team playing its seventh consecutive home contest, while the lone test came in a seven-point victory over Florida in mid-November.
The last time the Blue Devils were listed as an underdog against a team not named North Carolina was in the 2008 challenge at Purdue, as Duke cruised to a 76-60 victory as two-point 'dogs. Duke has held five of its first seven opponents to 70 points or less this season, as the 'over' has hit five times.
Ohio State has eclipsed the 80-point mark in each of the previous five games, even though the last four victories are against Valparaiso, VMI, North Florida, and Jackson State. The Buckeyes are 6-2 ATS the previous eight games as a single-digit favorite, including blowout wins over Wisconsin and Purdue.
Mike Krzyzewski's squad is an impressive 11-1 SU in this challenge, with the lone defeat coming in 2010 at Wisconsin, 73-69. The Blue Devils are taking on the Buckeyes for just the second time ever, as Duke dominated OSU in the 2002 challenge, 91-76. Ohio State has won three straight games in the challenge, including consecutive victories over Florida State the last two years by double-digits.
Other Challenge Games:
Northwestern at Georgia Tech
Last year, Northwestern blasted G-Tech 91-71 from Evanston
Georgia Tech is 4-7 in the Challenge, three of the wins at home
Northwestern has gone 5-7 in this format, but just 1-5 on the road
Illinois at Maryland
Illinois has started the season 6-0, five wins by double digits
The Terrapins have gone 3-2 so far, the losses coming by 20 and 26 points
Maryland lost to Illinois 80-76 in last year’s Challenge on the road
Miami, Fl. at Purdue
The Hurricanes have gone 1-3 in the Big 10-ACC Challenge, two losses coming on the road
This is the highest point-spread of all six Challenge matchups
Clemson at Iowa
The Tigers (3-2) and Hawkeyes (4-2) have both notched all of their victories against weaker opponents
Iowa owns the worst record (2-8) in the Challenge amongst all Big 10 schools
Clemson has gone 8-4 in the Challenge, with identical 4-2 home/away records