Rob Veno
Illinois at Northwestern
Play: Under
Have to respect the job Northwestern head coach Bill Carmody has done with his injury plagued squad this season. Despite losing top scorer Drew Crawford early on and then key starting forward Jared Swopshire last week, the Wildcats were able to hang in until the closing minute and get an easy pointspread cover at Ohio State Wednesday night. Today the task becomes even more difficult as starting center Alex Olah will not play (head injury) and starting guard Reggie Hearn (ankle) will likely play at less than 100%. Olah is crucial to NU’s Princeton style attack since he’s used as a high screener and primary passer away from the basket. His abilities in those areas will again force the Wildcats to adjust offensively. Always patient and deliberate on the attack end, expect Northwestern to be even more methodical in this contest by milking every possession. Also figure the ‘Cats to focus strongly on the defensive end where they have the pieces to pester Illinois’ guard oriented offense. In its earlier 68-54 road win over Illinois, NU held the Illini to 38.8% from the floor and they really protected the 3-point line allowing just 3-for-20, 15%. Welsh-Ryan Arena has also been a positive force recently as Northwestern is on a 3-0 ATS run there. All of the elements present in this game including the Wildcats 2-6-1 O/U mark since January 13th point to a low scoring outcome. The disciplined host should exert 40 minutes of defensive focus which combined with their own offensive limitations make the 129.5 total seem a few point too high.
Nelly
Illinois State - over Wichita State
Illinois State is just 7-7 in conference play but they are 7-1 in the last eight games after an awful six game losing streak to open the Missouri Valley season. All six of those losses came by 10 or fewer points and the Redbirds had to open with three of the best teams in the conference. Losing three close games in a row carried into the next few games but it was just a matter of time before this team started putting things together. Recent wins over Indiana State and Creighton gives a lot of credibility to this recent run and the last two home games have featured dominant wins for the Redbirds. Wichita State is one of the best teams in the Missouri Valley but the Shockers have dropped three of the last five games including losing in three of the last four road games. Illinois State shot just 33 percent in the first meeting between these teams but still only lost by 12 in a valiant second half effort. The favorite has covered in eight of the last 10 games in this series and the recent efficiency of Illinois State on offense has been impressive. Illinois State has been the better shooting team and the Redbirds have the ability to close the gap in the rebounding deficit from the first meeting between these teams. Look for the home team to deliver as the Missouri Valley standings continue to become less clear.
Harry Bondi
MINNESOTA (+2) over Iowa
The Gophers have managed to go 18-7 SU this year against the toughest schedule in the entire country and that makes them a bit underrated here today. Minnesota plays the kind of defense that will cause Iowa fits. The Hawkeyes are 0-7 this year when held to less than 70 points and the Gophers are only allowing 60 points per game. Minnesota has also gone a rock-solid 5-2 ATS this year on the road and is 4-1 ATS the last three years as a road dog of three points or less. Take the points.
Bob Balfe
Clemson +6.5
There is really not much separation as far as talent goes in the ACC. Miami is the best team in this conference, but I am not thrilled when I see them as favorites this big on the road. They have blown out a few really good programs, but they were all done at home. Clemson plays pretty good defense and this game should come down to the final few minutes. Take Clemson.
Hollywood Sports
Wichita State at Illinois State
Prediction: Illinois State
The Shockers (21-5) have won two in a row after their 71-56 win versus Drake -- but they are 1-4-2 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight-up victory. Wichita State now goes on the road where have failed to cover the point spread in 4 straight games. Additionally, the Shockers are just 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 games against teams with a winning percentage over 60%. Illinois State (16-10) has won four straight after their 79-59 win versus Bradley as an 11.5-point favorite. The Redbirds should build off that momentum as they have covered the point spread in 11 of their last 16 games following a victory. Additionally, Illinois State has covered the point spread in 9 of their last 13 games following a point spread win. Furthermore, the Redbirds have now covered the spread in 4 straight games in the Missouri Valley Conference. They will be looking to avenge their 74-62 loss to Wichita State as an 8-point underdog back on January 16th -- and the favorite has covered the spread in 8 of the last 10 meetings between these two teams. Lay the points with Illinois State in this one.
Charlie Scott
Wichita State vs. Illinois State
Play: Wichita State
While Illinois St has some talent, underdog Wichita St is the better Team, with a much better defense and bettter guards with a roster that uses a 10 deep rotation. I expect Illinois St guards to struggle against the Wichita St press.