Tuesday's Best NCAAB Bets
By Covers.com
Wisconsin Badgers at UW-Milwaukee Panthers (10, 112)
Wisconsin looks to continue its recent dominance of an in-state rival when it travels to Milwaukee on Tuesday night. The Badgers, who come in off a 62-51 home win over UNLV Saturday, have won 18 straight against the Panthers dating back to 1992.
The Badgers rank at or near the top of Division I in most defensive categories, leading the nation in points allowed (44.9) and holding opponents to 33.5 percent shooting. Sophomore SG Ben Brust (12.6 ppg, 49.2 percent 3-point shooting) leads a group of four players scoring in double figures, while junior center Jared Berggren adds 11.6 ppg. Senior All-American PG Jordan Taylor averages 11.6 points and 5.7 assists for Wisconsin, which averages an NCAA-best 8.5 turnovers.
Milwaukee had its recent four-game winning streak snapped in a 67-51 setback at Northern Iowa on Saturday. Like the Badgers, the Panthers have been excellent on defense, holding its opposition to 38.9 percent shooting overall and 25 percent from 3-point range.
Even though buckets could be hard to come by, the Badgers have dropped just one game against the number all season and could make a rout of this one.
Pick: Badgers
Central Michigan Chippewas at Minnesota Gophers (-16.5, 129)
Even without Trevor Mbakwe, Minnesota has outperformed expectations en route to a hot start and will look to extend its win streak to five games when it hosts Central Michigan Tuesday at Williams Arena. Led by senior Ralph Sampson III’s season-high 15 points and eight rebounds, the Gophers earned their fourth straight victory after defeating St. Peter’s, 69-47.
Mbakwe, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in the Gophers’ only loss this year, led the team in scoring with 14 points and was the team’s only scorer in double figures. Prior to Mbakwe’s injury, the Gophers had scored at least 70 points in six of seven games. Since then, they’ve only reached the 70-point mark once in four games.
However, in his absence, Sampson and Rodney Williams have been effective, averaging seven and nine points respectively for Minnesota, which has been forced to rely on defense. The Gophers, who shoot 49 percent from the field, have held their opponent under 60 points eight times, including four straight.
Meanwhile, the Chippewas enter on a two-game skid after losing 65-57 against Tennessee State. Central Michigan shot 39 percent from the field and was held to less than 60 points for just the second time this season.
Minnesota has covered in just six of its last 21 home games, so we're looking at the under.
Pick: Under
NCAAB Preview
Wisconsin won last nine games vs Milwaukee, with eight of nine by 10+ points; they won 61-39 in last visit here, four years ago. Badgers are 8-2, losing only road games, at North Carolina- they're 6-0 vs teams not in top 100, with 23 points closest of the six. Milwaukee is 7-2, 0-2 vs top 100 teams, losing by 13 to Michigan State, 16 to UNI. Big Dozen road favorites of 6+ points are 2-4 vs spread; Horizon home dogs are 2-4.
Florida Atlantic upset Mississippi State 61-59 LY, game that started Bulldogs on 4-7 skid; FAU is 3-5 vs D-I teams, playing just one home game; they lot by 23 at Kansas, 6 at Washington, 13 at South Florida. State won its last eight games, beating Texas A&M by 9, Arizona by 10, West Virginia by 13. SEC double digit home favorites are 8-16-1 vs spread this season; Sun Belt double digit road underdogs are 16-10.
Central Michigan is 3-4 vs D-I teams, losing last two games, at Temple by 12, Tennessee State by 8; Chippewas are #322 team on defensive boards, bad news vs Gopher squad that is #9 on offensive boards. MAC road underdogs of 11+ points are 7-4-1. Minnesota is 10-1, allowing 49.5 ppg during 4-game win streak; they're 3-0 vs teams not ranked in top 200, winning by 29-14-22. Big Dozen HFs of 15+ points are 10-5.
Much-improved Wyoming is 9-1, winning last seven games against #335 schedule in America; Cowboys are coming off of best win, at Colorado by 11, first top 150 team they've beaten. Cal-Irvine is 1-5 vs D-I teams, but Cal is only team to beat them by more than 11 points. MWC double digit home favorites are 8-6 vs spread; Big West road underdogs of 15+ points are 6-1. Wyoming lost by 15 at Bren Center in LY's meeting.
First road game for UCSB team thats been off for two weeks since losing in OT to both UNLV/San Diego State; Gauchos' two D-I wins are by 33 over Santa Clara, 13 over Portland, both WCC teams. San Diego is 1-3 in last four games, losing by 20 to Irvine, one of Big West's lesser teams. Big West favorites are 11-5 vs spread this year, 3-2 on road, 2-1 if laying double digits. WCC double digit road underdogs are 2-6-1 vs spread.
Ill-Chicago lost 75-54 at Oregon State LY; Flames are 0-4 on road so far this season, losing pair of conference road tilts by total of just 5 points. Oregon State is 5-2 vs D-I teams, but lost last game to Idaho; they're 2-0 vs teams not ranked in top 200, winning by 24-20 points. Horizon road underdogs of 13+ points are 6-3-1 vs spread; Pac-12 double digit home faves are 10-17. Beaver coach Robinson is from Chicago's South Side.
Niagara lost 84-39 at Drexel LY, after beating Dragons by 5-7 points in previous two meetings; Purple Eagles lost three of last four games; they are making just 28.6% of 3-point shots (294th). Drexel is disappointing 3-4, winning by 18 at Rider of MAAC, its only win in three road games. MAAC single digit underdogs are 7-7 vs spread, 0-3 at home. CAA road favorites are 5-2. I'm thinking an 84-39 loss sticks in your mind.
Dartmouth is 1-6 vs D-I teams, with only win by 4 over #315 Bryant; half of their six losses are by 12+ points. Big Green lost by 18 at Notre Dame Sunday, its first game in ten days. IPFW is 4-3 vs D-I teams, in spite of being a bad defensive team (opponents making 57% of 2-point shots). Ivy League single digit road underdogs are 9-4 vs spread.
WISCONSIN (8 - 2) at WI-MILWAUKEE (8 - 2)
Top Trends for this game.
WISCONSIN is 13-5 ATS (+7.5 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
WISCONSIN is 13-5 ATS (+7.5 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
WISCONSIN is 18-5 ATS (+12.5 Units) after allowing 60 points or less over the last 2 seasons.
WI-MILWAUKEE is 0-6 ATS (-6.6 Units) on Tuesday nights over the last 3 seasons.
WI-MILWAUKEE is 10-23 ATS (-15.3 Units) in home games in non-conference games since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
WI-MILWAUKEE is 1-1 against the spread versus WISCONSIN over the last 3 seasons
WISCONSIN is 2-0 straight up against WI-MILWAUKEE over the last 3 seasons
2 of 2 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
FLA ATLANTIC (4 - 5) at MISSISSIPPI ST (9 - 1)
Top Trends for this game.
MISSISSIPPI ST is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) in a home game where the total is 135 to 139.5 over the last 2 seasons.
MISSISSIPPI ST is 1-8 ATS (-7.8 Units) in home games after scoring 80 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
FLA ATLANTIC is 1-0 against the spread versus MISSISSIPPI ST over the last 3 seasons
FLA ATLANTIC is 1-0 straight up against MISSISSIPPI ST over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
C MICHIGAN (4 - 4) at MINNESOTA (10 - 1)
Top Trends for this game.
C MICHIGAN is 12-22 ATS (-12.2 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
C MICHIGAN is 12-22 ATS (-12.2 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
C MICHIGAN is 12-24 ATS (-14.4 Units) as an underdog over the last 3 seasons.
C MICHIGAN is 23-43 ATS (-24.3 Units) in December games since 1997.
MINNESOTA is 14-24 ATS (-12.4 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 14-24 ATS (-12.4 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.
UC-IRVINE (2 - 6) at WYOMING (9 - 1)
Top Trends for this game.
WYOMING is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
WYOMING is 14-3 ATS (+10.7 Units) in all home games over the last 2 seasons.
WYOMING is 14-3 ATS (+10.7 Units) in home lined games over the last 2 seasons.
WYOMING is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) in home games after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
WYOMING is 12-4 ATS (+7.6 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
UC-IRVINE is 24-11 ATS (+11.9 Units) as a road underdog of 12.5 or more points since 1997.
UC-IRVINE is 39-21 ATS (+15.9 Units) in December games since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
UC-IRVINE is 1-0 against the spread versus WYOMING over the last 3 seasons
UC-IRVINE is 1-0 straight up against WYOMING over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
UC-SANTA BARBARA (4 - 2) at SAN DIEGO (5 - 4)
Top Trends for this game.
SAN DIEGO is 10-23 ATS (-15.3 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 10-23 ATS (-15.3 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 10-21 ATS (-13.1 Units) when the total is 130 to 139.5 over the last 3 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 10-20 ATS (-12.0 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 7-17 ATS (-11.7 Units) in all home games over the last 3 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 7-17 ATS (-11.7 Units) in home lined games over the last 3 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 3-17 ATS (-15.7 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 2-16 ATS (-15.6 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.
IL-CHICAGO (3 - 5) at OREGON ST (6 - 2)
Top Trends for this game.
OREGON ST is 15-5 ATS (+9.5 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 3 seasons.
IL-CHICAGO is 59-35 ATS (+20.5 Units) in December games since 1997.
IL-CHICAGO is 87-62 ATS (+18.8 Units) after a non-conference game since 1997.
IL-CHICAGO is 88-58 ATS (+24.2 Units) in non-conference games since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
OREGON ST is 1-1 against the spread versus IL-CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
OREGON ST is 1-1 straight up against IL-CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
DREXEL (3 - 4) at NIAGARA (4 - 6)
Top Trends for this game.
NIAGARA is 8-18 ATS (-11.8 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
DREXEL is 2-0 against the spread versus NIAGARA over the last 3 seasons
NIAGARA is 1-1 straight up against DREXEL over the last 3 seasons
DARTMOUTH (2 - 6) at IUPU-FT WAYNE (5 - 3)
Top Trends for this game.
DARTMOUTH is 14-26 ATS (-14.6 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
DARTMOUTH is 14-26 ATS (-14.6 Units) in all lined games over the last 3 seasons.
IUPU-FT WAYNE is 0-6 ATS (-6.6 Units) when the total is 130 to 139.5 over the last 2 seasons.
IUPU-FT WAYNE is 0-6 ATS (-6.6 Units) in home games in December games over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.
ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF vs. MICHIGAN
No trends available
Michigan is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Michigan's last 5 games
DREXEL vs. NIAGARA
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Drexel's last 10 games on the road
Drexel is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Niagara is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home
Niagara is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games
NORTH CAROLINA A&T vs. CENTRAL FLORIDA
No trends available
Central Florida is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Central Florida is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
DARTMOUTH vs. IUPU FORT WAYNE
Dartmouth is 1-15 SU in its last 16 games on the road
No trends available
BOSTON UNIVERSITY vs. VILLANOVA
No trends available
Villanova is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games
Villanova is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games at home
NICHOLLS STATE vs. TEXAS
No trends available
Texas is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home
Texas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
WISCONSIN vs. WISC-MILWAUKEE
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Wisconsin's last 9 games on the road
Wisc-Milwaukee is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Wisc-Milwaukee is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
BELMONT vs. MIDDLE TENNESSEE
No trends available
Middle Tennessee is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Middle Tennessee is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Belmont
CENTRAL MICHIGAN vs. MINNESOTA
The total has gone UNDER in 16 of Central Michigan's last 19 games on the road
Central Michigan is 4-14 SU in its last 18 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games at home
UC IRVINE vs. WYOMING
UC Irvine is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Wyoming is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Wyoming is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
FLORIDA ATLANTIC vs. MISSISSIPPI STATE
Florida Atlantic is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Mississippi State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Mississippi State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
SANTA BARBARA vs. SAN DIEGO
No trends available
San Diego is 8-17 SU in its last 25 games
ILLINOIS-CHICAGO vs. OREGON STATE
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Illinois-Chicago's last 5 games on the road
Illinois-Chicago is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Oregon State is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Oregon State's last 5 games
JACKSON STATE vs. ST. MARY'S
No trends available
St. Mary's is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
St. Mary's is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
Wisconsin at Wisconsin-Milwaukee Preview
Covers.com
Wisconsin Badgers at UW-Milwaukee Panthers (10, 112)
THE STORY: Wisconsin looks to continue its recent dominance of an in-state rival when it travels to Milwaukee on Tuesday night. The Badgers, who come in off a 62-51 home win over UNLV Saturday, have won 18 straight against the Panthers dating back to 1992. Milwaukee had its recent four-game winning streak snapped in a 67-51 setback at Northern Iowa on Saturday.
ABOUT WISCONSIN (8-2): The Badgers rank at or near the top of Division I in most defensive categories, leading the nation in points allowed (44.9) and holdingopponents to 33.5 percent shooting. Sophomore SG Ben Brust (12.6 ppg, 49.2% 3-point shooting) leads a group of four players scoring in double figures, while junior C Jared Berggren adds 11.6 ppg. Senior All-American PG Jordan Taylor averages 11.6 points and 5.7 assists for Wisconsin, which averages an NCAA-best 8.5 turnovers.
ABOUT MILWAUKEE (8-2): Like the Badgers, the Panthers have been excellent on defense, holding its opposition to 38.9 percent shooting overall and 25 percent from 3-point range. Offensively, senior PG Kaylon Williams leads a balanced attack with 12.8 points and 5.7 assists, while junior PF James Haarsma adds 10.6 point and a team-high 7.9 rebounds. Six different Milwaukee players are averaging at least 8.5 points.
TIP-INS
1. Wisconsin leads the all-time series, 27-1, and it has won all nine of its games against the Panthers in Milwaukee. The Badgers won, 61-40, at home last season.
2. Eight of the last nine meetings between the two schools have been played in Madison, with Milwaukee last playing host in December 2007 (a 61-39 defeat).
3. Wisconsin lost its only true road game this season, falling at North Carolina, 60-57, on Nov. 30. Milwaukee is 5-0 at home.
Tuesday's Top Trends
SAN DIEGO is 2-16 ATS after 2 consecutive non-conference games (vs UC-Santa Barbara)
WISCONSIN is 11-0 ATS after a combined score of 115 points or less (vs WI-Milwaukee)
OREGON ST is 4-20 ATS in home games off a home loss by 10 points or more (vs IL-Chicago)
WYOMING is 14-3 ATS in home lined games (vs UC-Irvine)