Hot & Not Report
By Joe Williams
VegasInsider.com
Welcome to February, statistically the coldest month of the year. There are a handful of teams bucking that trend against the spread (ATS), but there are also plenty of teams struggling against the number and as chilly as the February wind.
Who's Hot
Idaho State Bengals (6-1 ATS L/7) – The Bengals are making a push in the Big Sky Conference, moving to 14-5 straight up. They're also 6-1 ATS over their past seven games heading into Saturday's game against Sacramento State. They lost 82-71 in Sacramento against the Hornets Jan. 14, narrowing failing to cover a 10 1/2-point number. Look for the Bengals to perform much better at home in the rematch, especially since the Bengals are 6-1 SU/ATS over their past seven in Pocatello.
San Jose State Spartans (9-2 ATS L/11) – The Spartans of San Jose State haven't been great in terms of win-loss record, but they've been covering regularly. They were 15-point underdogs at UNLV Wednesday, but nearly pulled off a straight up win before falling 64-61. It was their fourth straight cover, as they improved to 8-1 ATS in their past nine road games. Remember the Spartans when they travel to New Mexico Saturday night.
Seton Hall Pirates (7-1 ATS L/8) – The Hall slipped up a home against Butler, 81-75, on Wednesday for their first non-cover since Jan. 9. They have a week to get it right before traveling to Georgetown next Wednesday to face a team they just beat 69-61 on Feb. 6 for a cover. The Pirates have covered six in a row on the road, too, with their only non-cover this season at George Washington on Dec. 2.
Tennessee State Tigers (6-1-1 ATS L/8) – The Tigers of TSU have been hot against the number lately, even if they're just 3-3 SU over the past six. They travel to Eastern Kentucky Saturday to face a team which thumped them by 16 points at home back on Feb. 4. Look for Tennessee State to be a double-digit underdog in that game, and as such they'll be a very good value since they have been hot against the number lately.
William & Mary Tribe (10-2 ATS L/12) – The Tribe of the Colonial Athletic Association is coming off a loss at home to Hofstra, but outside of games against Hofstra they have been very hot. Since Jan. 2 the Tribe is 9-3 SU and 10-2 ATS, with two of those straight up losses and non-covers against the Pride. Good thing they won't see Hofstra again until at least the postseason conference tournament.
Who's Not
Denver Pioneers (4-11 ATS L/15) – The Pioneers have been a dependable team against the number in past seasons, but they have struggled to cover this year. Denver travels to IUPU-Fort Wayne Saturday to face a team which has been the polar opposite against the spread. The Mastodons topped the Pioneers 65-64 in Denver in the first game as two-point underdogs Jan. 9, and they're 17-4 ATS in 21 games this season.
Georgia State Panthers (0-8 ATS L/8) – The Panthers were four-point favorites Thursday at South Alabama, but they were tripped up 79-78 in overtime for their eighth consecutive non-cover.
Virginia Military Institude Keydets (3-13 ATS L/16) – The Keydets topped UNC-Greensboro 86-72 last time out as 5 1/2-point underdogs, but they have had difficulty covering spreads lately, and they haven't covered in back-to-back games all season. Remember that fact when they travel to Chattanooga for their next game Thursday, Feb. 18. The Mocs are 8-2 ATS in their past 10 games, including 5-1 ATS in their past six at home. That doesn't bode well for VMI in their road outing.
Total Notes
Georgia State has hit the 'over' in six of their past eight games heading into their road game at Troy Saturday. The over is 3-1 in their past four road games, and it hit in their first meeting at home against Troy back on Jan. 7.
The 'over' continues to come through for Rutgers, going 3-0 in their past three and 11-1 in their past 12. They host Ohio State Saturday, and the 'over' hit in their first meetings back on Jan. 13 in Columbus.
The 'under' hit Thursday night for St. Mary's (CA), and is an impressive 4-0 in their past four and 8-2 in their past 10 outings heading into their home game with Loyola Marymount Saturday. The 'under' hit in their first meeting with the Lions back on Jan. 7 with 121 points on a total of 138.5.
San Jose State has had five straight 'unders' cash heading into their meeting Saturday at 6 p.m. ET at New Mexico. On the flip side, the Lobos have hit the 'over' in four straight.
Santa Clara has had the 'over' connect in four straight outings heading into their game at home aginst Brigham Young Saturday. The 'over' hit in their first meeting with the Cougars in Provo back on Jan. 7.
The 'over' has cashed in nine of the past 11 games for The Citadel heading into their game at Wofford Saturday. The 'over' hit in the first meeting with the Terriers Jan. 14, and the 'over' is 6-0 in the past six, and 9-1 in the past 10, for Wofford.