College Knowledge
-- Indiana (-8) beat Minnesota 88-81 Jan 12, going 26-40 on foul line, as they beat Gophers for third time in last four series games; Indiana lost three of last four visits here. Gophers were 11-27 on arc, 12-15 on line in first game; they've lost four of five and 8 of last 11 games, losing last two by 21-26 points. Big Dozen home underdogs of 8 or less points are 8-13 vs spread. Indiana is 6-1 SU on road, 2-3 as road favorite; four of its six road wins are by 8+ points.
-- George Mason (-3) shot 57% inside arc, was +8 in turnovers as they won 77-67 at Towson Jan 23, its 16th straight series win- they've won last seven series games here, all by 9+ points. CAA home favorites of 6 or less points are 11-23 vs spread. Mason is 0-5 vs spread in its last five home games, losing three of last four SU. Gritty Towson (1-31 LY) won five of last six games, is 5-2 as a CAA road underdog this year.
-- Xavier lost 72-68 at Memphis LY; Musketeers won four of last five home games, losing last game to VCU by 4- they're 4-5 last nine games overall. Memphis is unbeaten in C-USA; its last loss was December 15 to Louisville (87-78, +4). Tigers covered four of last six as the favorite. Xavier is 0-2 vs top 50 teams, losing to VCU and by 15 to Cincinnati. Memphis won six of last seven games vs top 100 teams.
-- Auburn (+3.5) trailed Alabama 15-2, then held Tide to 14 second half points in weird 49-37 home win Feb 6, Tigers' only win in their last 12 games, and first over Bama in last six tries, losing last three visits here by 12-2-6 points. Auburn lost its last five games, scoring 54.3 ppg in last three. SEC double digit home favorites are 11-16 vs spread. Alabama is 4-1 since Auburn loss, losing in triple overtime at LSU Saturday.
-- Detroit (-3.5) won 75-63 at Loyola Jan 26, after trailing by 7 early in second half; Titans won last nine series games, winning last three here, by 20-10-15 points- they also beat Ramblers by 21-9 in last two league tourneys. Loyola lost six of last seven games, is 3-2 as home dog, with three of five Horizon road losses by 3 or less points. Horizon double digit home favorites are 7-4 against the spread.
-- Green Bay (-6.5) outscored Milwaukee 35-15 over last 14:42 as they beat Panthers 74-54 on road Jan 25, its first win in last four series tilts. UWM lost three of last four visits here, losing by 4-7-5 points. Horizon double digit home favorites are 7-4 vs spread. Milwaukee won last two games after losing nine of previous 10; they're 3-4 as road dogs- six of its seven road losses are by 10+. Green Bay is 3-2 as a home favorite.
-- Wright State (-8.5) was 2-19 from arc, trailed 26-14 at half of a 55-49 home loss to Ill-Chicago Jan 26, its first series loss in last seven games. Raiders won last three visits here by 17-8-4 points; they've won three in row on Horizon road, covered five of six. Horizon home underdogs of 3 or less points are 7-5 vs spread. UIC lost five of last six games; they are 4-2 at home in Horizon, losing to Valpo by 5, Cleveland State by 11.
-- Youngstown (+3.5) led 19-9 early, coasted to 80-68 win over Valpo Jan 30, the third straight series win for home side; Penguins lost last five visits here, by 19-8-4-24-14 points. Crusaders won six of last seven, are 3-3 as home favorites, winning at home by 24-6-12-31-25 points, losing to Loyola/Detroit. Penguins are 1-3 as Horizon road underdog. Horizon double digit home favorites are 7-4 against the spread.
-- Wyoming (-6.5) was just 5-28 from arc in 57-48 home loss Jan 26 to Air Force, its fifth loss in last eight series games. Cowboys lost seven of last eight visits here, winning 64-53 LY to break long skid. MWC home favorites of 5 or less points are 8-4 vs spread. Air Force lost four of last five games, is 5-1 at home in MWC, with only loss to Colorado State by 3. Wyoming failed to cover its last four games as a road underdog.
-- Tennessee won its last five games, winning in four OTs at A&M last game; Vols swept Florida LY, after Gators had won previous four series games. Florida lost five of last six visits here, but most of those were in Pearl era in Knoxville. Florida is 12-2 in SEC, but 2-5 vs spread in last seven games; they're 5-2 as road favorites, with all five road wins by 17+ points. SEC single digit home underdogs are 15-8 vs spread.
-- Wake Forest (+3) hammered Florida State 71-46 at home 17 days ago, holding FSU is 32.6% from floor in its first series win in last five tries. Deacons lost five of last six visits here, losing last two by 4-24 points. Seminoles lost four of last five games, are 0-4 as home favorite, 3-3 SU at home, with wins by 3-2-3 points. ACC home favorites of 6 or less points are 8-15 vs spread. Wake is 3-4 as an ACC road underdog.
-- Nebraska beat Iowa Saturday after being down by 19; they're 3-2 last five home games, but lost 47-41 (+8.5) at home to Wisconsin Jan 6, as Badgers survived 3-13 foul shooting, their third league win in row over Huskers, by 24-5-6 points. Wisconsin is 2-4 as home favorite, winning at home by 9-23-1-4-3-22 points. Big Dozen double digit home favorites are 11-8 vs spread. Cornhuskers are 3-3 vs spread as a road underdog.
Armadillosports.com
Games to Watch
By David Schwab
VegasInsider.com
No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers
Indiana enjoyed an extended break after knocking-off No.4 Michigan State on the road last Tuesday as a one-point underdog. The No.1 team in the nation is now 24-3 straight-up on the year and 15-10 against the spread. The Hoosiers hold a game and half lead over the Spartans in the Big Ten standings at 12-2 SU. They remain ranked second in the nation in scoring with 82.5 points a game while shooting an impressive 50 percent from the field. Cody Zeller leads the team with 16.6 points and 8.1 rebounds a game.
The Golden Gophers recent slide continued with losses to Iowa and No.18 Ohio State this past week to fall to 6-8 in Big Ten play. They are 18-9 SU overall and after failing to cover in five of their last six games their record ATS is 13-11-1. The total has stayed UNDER in eight of their last nine games. Minnesota is averaging 69.1 points while giving-up an average of 61.6 points a game. Andre and Austin Hollins are scoring a combined 24.7 points a game, but both are shooting less than 41 percent from the floor.
Tuesday's Top 25 NCB Betting Notes
By Covers.com
Check out our quick-hitting betting notes on Tuesday’s ranked college basketball games:
(17) Memphis at Xavier (+3.5)
The Tigers' 17-game win streak is tied with Akron for the longest active streak in the nation, and it's the fifth-longest stretch in school history. The Musketeers have won three of their last five but are coming off a 75-71 loss to Virginia Commonwealth on Saturday in which they blew a 17-point lead in the second half. Xavier is 9-3 at home this season with all three losses coming by five points or less — against Vanderbilt, Wofford and Virginia Commonwealth. Eight of Xavier's 11 losses have been by seven points or fewer, including six defeats by four points or fewer. The Musketeers are 5-1 ATS in their last six home games.
(1) Indiana at Minnesota (+5.5)
The Hoosiers have a 1 1/2-game lead over Michigan State in the Big Ten race and have won four straight contests. Indiana is well-rested with seven days in between games after winning at Michigan State on Feb. 19. Minnesota has suffered back-to-back losses of 21 points against Iowa and 26 to Ohio State. The Golden Gophers are averaging only 51.4 points over their last five contests and are 0-5-1 ATS in their last six games overall.
(6) Florida at Tennessee (+9)
Florida, which has won four of five, can clinch a double-bye in the SEC Tournament by winning at surging Tennessee. The Gators lead the 14-team conference by two games after Saturday’s 71-54 revenge win over Arkansas. Florida has held 19 opponents under 60 points, while the Gators have failed to hit 60 only once. The Vols have scored over 80 points in three straight regular-season SEC games for the first time since 2000 and are 5-0 ATS in their last five overall.
Nebraska at (16) Wisconsin (-15.5)
Wisconsin has won five of its last six games, including a 65-62 OT win over the Wolverines on Feb. 9 and, most recently, a 69-41 rout of Northwestern on Wednesday. The Badgers prevailed 47-41 over Nebraska in their first meeting on Jan. 6 and have won four in a row in the head-to-head series. The Cornhuskers are 0-8 against ranked teams this season.
College Basketball: Streaks, Tips, Notes
Sportspic.com
Indiana Hoosiers at Minnesota Golden Gophers
Rested Hoosiers (24-3, 15-10 ATS) with a week off since knocking off Michigan State get a crack at sweeping the season series when they square off against Gophers (18-9, 13-11-1 ATS) Tuesday night. Hoosiers with a quad of double digit scorers lead by Cody Zeller (16.6) having little trouble putting the ball through the hoop averaging a nation second-best 82.5 points/game on an impressive 50.0% from the field cruise here. The Gophers netting just 69.1 PPG simply can't hang with the over-powering Indiana team. Consider Hoosiers knowing Gophers off a pair of 20+ point losses are in their usual February swan dive going 2-4 (0-6 ATS) this season which moves the monthly skid to 4-17 SU the past three years with a cash draining 4-16-1 mark at the betting window.
Tuesday Cliff Notes
By Dave Essler
We did end up with a winning day on Monday, with our lone loss being ISU. It appears we were not alone, so let's just forget about that one. I've been preaching that we win some like that and we lose some like that, and it's typically how you handle these things and what we do next that matters. My answer is nothing different than if we'd have won every games.
Indiana at Minnesota: The Hoosiers stock is probably back to a season-long high after beating Michigan, Michigan State, and Ohio State, which means we'll pay an even bigger premium to back them. It should be noted that two of those three wins were at home, and the Spartan game really could have gone either way. The Gophers beat the Spartans to open Conference play, and squeaked one out at home against Wisconsin, but really haven't had a signature win, and have had some brutal losses. They did play the Hoosiers tough in Indiana earlier, at least on the scoreboard. It looks as if they only lost by seven, which I suppose they did, but that game was essentially over at haftime. Indiana went to the line 40 times, the Gophers 16. I don't expect that to happen again tonight on the road, but it is indicative one thing. Indiana is a great offensive rebounding team and Minnesota is not a great defensive rebounding team, and unless that changes tonight Minnesota has no chance. I simply don't trust them not to turn the ball over, but, this is another game like we had last night in Seton Hall where the best team, this time of year, may not win, at least not ATS. I guess I could make two cases for Minnesota. There's the obvious potential letdown for the Hoosiers, and they've played the worst Conference SOS while Minnesota has play the best. Indiana does look pretty focused right now, but laying six points on the road in what's probably the Gophers GOY might be tough to do. This one will either be close all night, or over early. Key will be if Minnesota can slow the pace down enough, which also will dictate and play on the total. I lean to Minnesota and the under. I just and lol moment in that the public sides will obviously be the Hoosiers and the over, so sometimes I will just bet Minnesota and the under for no other reason that the fact that the public won't win the both.
Memphis at Xavier: With the VCU loss and Xavier having no shot to play in the Big Dance unless they win the A-10 (which will not happen) this game means a whole lot more to Memphis, really. That's almost a dangerous spot for them on the road. Xavier can play pretty loose, knowing they're expected to lose and having nothing TO lose. I can see a potential letdown for Memphis after beating Southern Miss on the road, and cannot see where they've really beaten (OTHER than Southern Miss) a decent opponent on the road. We all know the Tigers will play fast, but what's interesting is that Xavier has had success against up-tempo teams, such as Duquesne, Dayton, and Temple, so winning here is not at all out of the question. They've got the height advantage, and this one comes down to turnovers and pace. BOTH teams have struggled to protect the ball, and if Xavier can handle the pressure defense Memphis will throw at them, they have every reason to win the game. However, at the moment I like the under a bit better. Xavier does play very solid defense and will clearly try and slow this game down. Xavier does offensive rebound well which may limit the fast break points the Tigers are used to getting, and neither team is all that sharp from the FT line. Xavier and under?
Wake Forest at Florida State: I totally get how FSU might be a little pissed at losing by 25 at Wake six weeks ago, but that was long ago and a far away place. I just don't know how you can lay these points with this FSU team right now. They haven't beaten ANYONE in Conference play by more than five points this season, at home or away, so laying them in this case is simply not an option. Yes, they'll WANT to win by 100, but they are a mess, and have their last road game at North Carolina on Saturday. My guess is they just want to get that one over with, and finish the season with two home games, win or lose. So, Wake hasn't won (or been in many) road games this season, other than UNC Greensboro. How the hell do they get up again after beating Miami, OR, does this give them confidence going forward. It might, since they really aren't good enough to have "letdowns". They've very young, but they won't have any problem playing as fast as FSU wants to (although FSU has slowed things down to some extent) and although they've had the youthful turnover issues, FSU isn't much better and honestly, Wake has a better defense in Conference play. If FSU thinks they're going to run and shoot, if they don't make some three's early this will be close all night. FSU's basketball team is a mirror image, emotionally, of their football team. Soft. I lean to Wake to stay within this number, or perhaps more aptly put there is no way I can bet of FSU to win and cover this game.
College Basketball Point Spreads and Picks Florida Visits Red-Hot Tennessee
By: The Linemakers
Sportingnews.com
On a 2-5 ATS skid, Florida is still laying nearly double digits on the road against Tennessee, the SEC’s hottest team.
The Gators' visit to Knoxville (9 p.m. ET, ESPN) highlights Tuesday’s slate, which has four ranked teams in action.
The Volunteers (16-10 SU, 14-10 ATS) are on a 5-0 SU and ATS run. They’ve topped 80 in three straight regular-season SEC games for the first time since 2000. But there’s a perception they’ll be tired after beating Texas A&M in four overtimes Saturday, 93-85.
Coach Cuonzo Martin dismissed fatigue as a factor.
“You have to win ballgames,” said Martin, who’s 12-3 SU in February since taking over in Knoxville. “This is the most important ballgame on our schedule at this point. After this, we’ll look forward to the next game. I’ve never been a guy (to say) it’s a must-win game, but you’ve got to win the game.”
Martin called Florida (22-4 SU, 14-9 ATS) a potential Final Four team but one “you feel like you can beat and you have a great opportunity to continue to add to your NCAA profile as an NCAA tournament team.”
Currently 51st in the RPI, the Vols need a win to get on the bubble.
Tennessee is shooting 47.5 percent overall and 46.4 percent on 3-pointers during the win streak, with junior guards Trae Golden and Jordan McRae combining for 109 points the last two games.
There’s nothing wrong with how Florida is playing, except for inflated lines. The Gators barely failed to cover Saturday, beating Arkansas 71-54 as 17.5-point favorites.
Florida will be without guard Michael Frazier due to a concussion. Though he averages just 6.4 points on the season, Frazier has made 54.9-percent of his three-point attempts in conference.
This is the only regular-season meeting between the Gators and Vols. Thanks to SEC expansion, it’s the first time since 1964 the teams haven’t played a home-and-home series.
Tennessee won and covered both meetings last season. Under Billy Donovan, the Gators are 16-17 SU against the Vols.
No. 1 Indiana (24-3 SU, 15-10 ATS) at Minnesota (18-9 SU, 13-11-1 ATS), 7 p.m. ET, ESPN
Line: Indiana -6 Total: 139
The Golden Gophers enter on an 0-5-1 ATS skid (1-4 SU), having lost their last two games by a combined 47 points.
“We're in a bit of a quandary losing our last two games the way we have," coach Tubby Smith said. "We know we're going to be facing the best team in the country and they certainly deserve their ranking based on what we've seen."
Smith lamented the 24 turnovers his team committed in the 71-45 loss at Ohio State. Minnesota averages a Big Ten-high 14.1 turnovers per game.
"We've got to stay away from that and try and have a little more fun,” said Smith, whose coaching style doesn’t necessarily lend itself to fun.
Top-ranked Indiana, on a 6-1 SU and ATS run, has been off for a week. Victor Oladipo is playing on an injured ankle, though it’s hard to tell. He had 19 points, nine rebounds and five steals in the Hoosiers’ monumental win at Michigan State last Tuesday.
The Linemakers’ take: We were ready to make a big bet on Indiana if the line was right. But we expected it to be lighter than it is – about 3.5 or 4, instead of 6. Based on our power ratings, we’d make the spread about 8 on a neutral floor.
It’s hard not to like the Hoosiers here. They remain atop the AP’s college basketball poll, while Minnesota, after a 15-1 start, has dropped eight of its last 11. The Gophers are having trouble scoring, failing to hit the 60-point mark in their last six games, and falling apart in February has been pretty much been standing operating procedure for Minnesota under Tubby Smith.
But the Gophers are tough at home (13-3 SU), and this inflated line has us considering a play on them tonight.
No. 19 Memphis (24-3 SU, 11-13 ATS) at Xavier (15-11 SU, 12-10-1 ATS), 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Line: Memphis -4.5
Memphis goes for its 19th straight win when it visits Xavier, which likely will be without point guard Dee Davis (concussion symptoms). After Davis got hurt Saturday in a collision against VCU, guard Semaj Christon struggled to run the offense, committing 10 turnovers. The Musketeers blew a 17-point lead and lost, 75-71.
Surprisingly, the Tigers defend the 3-pointer better on the road. In seven road games, Memphis has held opponents to 27.2-percent shooting from beyond the arc, compared to 36.2 percent at FedEx Forum.
In Saturday’s win over Southern Miss, the Tigers had five players in double figures for the second straight game and sixth time this season.
“Everybody is just playing so well right now, and it’s not about scoring,” junior guard Joe Jackson told the Commercial Appeal. “It’s about the other stuff, and the scoring is just coming because we’re playing basketball the right way. We’re showing that we’ve got good IQ of the game now.”
The Linemakers' take: It’s been a down year for Xavier, as many expected, but the Musketeers do have some impressive wins on their home floor – vs. Butler, LaSalle and Temple. Memphis, meanwhile, is a largely-unnoticed 24-3, although they’ve done most of their damage within the soft Conference USA. The Tigers, who are just 11-13 ATS, tend to lose when they step out of conference to play quality opponents.