College Basketball Knowledge
Tulane (+12) upset Memphis 74-66 here LY, ending 13+-year drought in this series (19+ games); Tigers won rematch 57-55 at Tulane. Memphis is 8-3 vs schedule #334, as they break in lot of new players; they're 7-0 vs teams outside top 200, with six of seven wins by 15+ points. Tulane is 0-2 vs top 100 teams, losing by 8-24 points; they're turning the ball over 20.7% of time (#288), shooting just 30.7% from arc (#287).
Cincinnati won three of last four games with Temple, winning by 11-31 points in two games played here. Bearcats split last six games after a 7-0 start, losing 81-79 at home to Iowa State last week. Cincy is holding its opponents to 38.9% inside arc, has #17 eFG% defense. Temple is 0-5 vs top 100 teams, with three losses by 6 or less points- their only top 200 win was on neutral court over #150 Minnesota.
SMU swept Tulsa LY, 68-57/67-62; Mustangs are 11-0 but cannot play in postseason in March because of NCAA violations. SMU is 4-0 vs top 100 teams, with wins by 15-2-24-4 points; they're making 42.9% from arc, have #6 eFG% in country. Tulsa split its last eight games, is 2-3 vs top 100 teams, losing by 8-4-5 points- they force turnovers 21.3% of the time (#49).
Princeton is 0-3 vs top 100 teams, losing by 14-12-21 points; they have zero top 200 wins- their best win is over #203 Rider. Tigers are #273 in experience, have played schedule #265. Miami won its last five games-- three of its last four wins were by 22+ points. Canes are making 41.7% on arc, have #7 eFG% in US- they start ACC play Saturday (Syracuse).
George Washington is 10-2 but had ugly 82-61 loss to DePaul last game; Colonials split pair of AAC games, losing to Cincinnati by 5 on a neutral floor, winning by 6 at South Florida. Central Florida won five of its last six games after a 1-3 start; they lost two top 100 games by total of six points- their only top 200 win was over #148 UMass. UCF opens AAC play Saturday against East Carolina.
Northeastern is only team to beat Miami, FL this year; Huskies are 2-3 in last five games, losing to three teams ranked at #167 or lower (Miami O, Detroit, WMichigan)- they turn ball over 19.9% of time. NC State won its last five games after a 4-3 start; Wolfpack is 1-3 vs top 10 teams; its only top 100 win was in OT over LSU on a neutral floor. NC State has a thin bench (#339 in min played); their team is #306 in experience.
Florida State beat Florida 65-63 LY, snapping five-game skid against the Gators; last two series games were decided by total of three points. FSU is 9-2 vs schedule #301, splitting pair of top 100 games (losing at iowa by 3 in OT, beating VCU by 5 on neutral floor). Florida is 8-3 with all three losses vs top 15 teams; they've got three top 100 wins- best win is over #55 Richmond.
Wisconsin won its last four games with Purdue, all by 6+ points; Boilers lost three of last four visits to Madison- they lost 71-51 to Wisconsin in Big 14 tourney last spring, but now Ryan is gone and Purdue is 12-1, its only loss to Butler on neutral floor. Purdue won by 13 at Pitt in its only true road game. Wisconsin already has three home losses; three of its last four games were decided by 6 or less points.
Wake Forest is #314 in experience but they're 8-3 vs schedule #83, with wins over Indiana/UCLA- they open ACC play at Louisville on Sunday. Deacons are slowly getting roster back healthy. LSU is 7-4, playing the #320 schedule with #331 experienced team. Tigers start SEC play when they visit Vanderbilt Saturday; they're shooting 54.4% inside arc, have #65 eFG%.
8-3 Richmond is #53 in experience; they shoot 38.7% on arc, 55.8% on 2's, have #19 eFG%. Spiders won last four games, are 2-3 vs teams in top 100- its best wins are over Cal/Old Dominion. Texas Tech has won eight in row since 10-point loss to Utah on neutral floor. Red Raiders have the #23 eFG% defense- they're 3-1 vs top 100 teams, are forcing turnovers 20.9% of time, holding teams to 29.2% from arc.
Texas lost bug guy Ridley (foot) in practice this weekend; unsure if they will press more with smaller lineup. Longhorns start Big X play vs Texas Tech Saturday- they won 55-54 at UConn LY, outscoring Huskies 9-3 in last 3:12 of game. UConn is 2-3 vs top 100 teams, with all three losses on neutral floors- this is their first true road game. Huskies open AAC play on Saturday against Tulane.
Michigan State is 13-0 but star Valentine is out for a while; Spartans are 14-1 in last 15 games with Iowa, winning last nine. Hawkeyes lost nine in row here, with seven of nine by 10+ points, but they needed OT to get by Oakland in first game without Valentine.. Iowa is 3-3 vs teams in top 100; they won six of last seven games, with only loss at Iowa State when they blew a 20-point lead.
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NCAAB: Streaks, Tips, Notes
Sportspic.com
Michigan State at Iowa
Michigan State (13-0, 8-4 ATS) off to a program best start open Big Ten play on the road against Iowa (9-3, 5-4 ATS). Spartans lead by Denzel Valentine (18.5), Bryn Forbes (14.2) are netting 81.2 while allowing a stingy 59.7 on 35.3% shooting, 26.5% from long range.
Hawkeyes, no slouches at putting the ball through the hoop drop 82.6 with Jarrod Uthoff (18.2), Peter Jok (13.3) the two players in double digit scoring. Defensively, Hawkeyes are ranked 4th in the conference at keeping the ball out of their own basket allowing opponents 67.9 PPG on 39.6% shooting.
Spartans have won nine consecutive in the series (7-2 ATS) and 14 of the past 15 encounters (9-6 ATS) which includes 5-1 SU/ATS here in Iowa City. From a total perspective, the 'Under' has been the right choice in Hawkeyes' home games (2-6 O/U) and when Spartans pay a visit (2-9 O/U).