Tuesday's Best NIT Bets
By Covers.com
Massachusetts Minutemen at Drexel Dragons (-6.5, N/A)
Many believed the Dragons belonged in the NCAA tournament, but at least the NIT showed Drexel some love with three straight home games.
The Dragons dropped Central Florida 81-56 on Wednesday and Northern Iowa 65-63 on Sunday. Drexel, which utilizes a seven-man rotation, is fifth in the nation in scoring defense at 55.7 points as Bruiser Flint continues the defense-first philosophy he installed at Massachusetts. The Dragons are also No. 4 in 3-point field goal defense (28.8 percent), but will be put to the test as Massachusetts is 23rd in scoring (76.8 points per game).
The Minutemen upset No. 1 seed Temple 77-71 in the Atlantic 10 tournament before losing the next day to St. Bonaventure 84-80. Massachusetts has done it on the road in the NIT with victories over Mississippi State in double overtime on March 13 and Seton Hall on Saturday, but the Dragons will be tough to beat in their own den.
Pick: Dragons
Oregon Ducks at Washington Huskies (-4.5, N/A)
It’s been a down year for the Pac-12, but the conference is assured of having one team in the NIT semifinals with No. 3 seed Oregon visiting top-seeded Washington for the chance to play in New York’s Madison Square Garden.
The rivals split the season series, with both teams winning at home. The Huskies cruised to a 76-60 win on Dec. 31, and Oregon beat Washington 82-57 on Feb. 9. The Huskies were openly rooting for a third game with the Ducks after routing Northwestern by 21 points last Friday.
The Ducks have averaged 102 points in their first two NIT games, but they’ve also allowed an average of 86.5. Look for another high-scoring game against Washington, which averages 75.4 points.
The Ducks had five players in double-figures for the second consecutive game against Iowa, and E.J. Singler led the way with 25 points. Singler, who recently became the 13th player in school history with over 1,000 career points and 500 career rebounds, averaged 16.5 points and 8.5 boards in two games against Washington this season.
Pick: Ducks
NCAAB Preview
Drexel coach Flint came to Drexel from UMass, where he took over from John Calipari; his Dragons are 27-2 in last 29 games, holding opponents to 28.8% behind arc (#5 in country). Drexel lost to St Joe's by 13, their only game vs an A-14 foe. UMass likes to run; they've won five of last six games, with first two tourney wins also on road. Minutemen are 2-0 vs CAA doormats, beating Northeastern by 16, Towson State by 30.
Oregon-Washington are bitter conference rivals; home side won both in series this year- Ducks lost 76-60 here Dec 31, then crushed Huskies by 25 at home Feb 9. Oregon won six of last seven games, losing by point to Colorado in Pac-12 tourney; they've won five of last seven road tilts. Washington is 13-4 in its last 17 games, winning first two tourney games by 10-21 points- they won last seven at home, six by 8+ points.
Oakland won nine of last 11 games, winning last four home games, all by 8+ points; Grizzlies have nation's leading scorer in 5-11 senior Hamilton. They won by hoop at Houston, in only game vs C-USA foe. Rice won its last two road games, at UTEP/UL-Lafayette- they don't defend arc well, which could be problem vs Grizzlies' gunners. Oakland gets 35.6% of its points behind arc- they're also a terrible defensive team.
Armadillosports.com
MASSACHUSETTS (24 - 11) at DREXEL (29 - 6) - 3/20/2012, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DREXEL is 20-12 ATS (+6.8 Units) in all games this season.
DREXEL is 20-12 ATS (+6.8 Units) in all lined games this season.
DREXEL is 17-9 ATS (+7.1 Units) as a favorite this season.
DREXEL is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games this season.
MASSACHUSETTS is 22-8 ATS (+13.2 Units) as a road underdog of 6.5 to 9 points since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OREGON (24 - 9) at WASHINGTON (23 - 10) - 3/20/2012, 9:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
OREGON is 14-5 ATS (+8.5 Units) against conference opponents this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
OREGON is 4-3 against the spread versus WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON is 4-3 straight up against OREGON over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RICE (19 - 15) at OAKLAND (19 - 15) - 3/20/2012, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
OAKLAND is 35-23 ATS (+9.7 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 35-23 ATS (+9.7 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 15-3 ATS (+11.7 Units) in March games since 1997.
OAKLAND is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) in all tournament games over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.
MASSACHUSETTS vs. DREXEL
No trends available
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Drexel's last 9 games at home
Drexel is 18-1 SU in its last 19 games at home
RICE vs. OAKLAND
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Rice's last 9 games on the road
No trends available
OREGON vs. WASHINGTON
Oregon is 3-10 ATS in its last 13 games when playing on the road against Washington
Oregon is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Washington
Washington is 13-6 SU in its last 19 games when playing Oregon
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Washington's last 9 games when playing Oregon