Inside The Stats
By Marc Lawrence
Playbook.com
Let’s take a look at what’s happening on the hardwood as we enter this weekend. All results are ATS (Against The Spread) through January 22, unless noted otherwise.
Fire…
Here is a list teams taking the court this weekend riding hot streaks in games versus fellow Division-1 opponents (minimum seven results):
Air Force 6-1
Arizona 7-1
Kansas State 9-1
Old Dominion 6-1
SMU 7-1
St. Bonaventure 6-1
Syracuse 6-1
Tennessee 6-1
Utah 7-1
Virginia 6-1
Wichita State 6-1
Wisconsin Green Bay 7-1
Xavier 9-0
And ice
Here is a list teams taking the court this weekend riding cold ATS streaks in games versus fellow Division-1 opponents (minimum seven results):
Central Florida 1-6
Drexel 1-7
East Carolina 1-6
Fullerton State 1-7
Marquette 1-7
Marshall 1-8
Massachusetts 1-6-1
North Carolina 1-8
Oregon 0-7
Penn State 1-7
Rice 1-6
South Alabama 1-6
St. Johns 1-7
Texas State 1-7
Virginia Tech 1-6
Hot dogs
According to our database, these have been the best underdogs in most recent games played versus fellow Division-1 foes
Bowling Green 6-0
Cleveland State 5-1-1
Miami Ohio 6-0
Old Dominion 5-1
Wyoming 4-1-1
The worst underdogs in most recent games played versus fellow Division-1 foes
Cal Poly Slo 1-4-1
Central Florida 0-5
Colorado State 1-5
LaSalle 0-5
Loyola Marymount 0-5
Penn State 1-5
South Alabama 1-8
Texas State 1-7
USC 1-5
Chalk talk
According to our database, these have been the best favorites in most recent games played versus fellow Division-1 foes
Arizona 6-1
Arizona State 5-1
Harvard 7-1-1
Kansas State 8-1
Louisiana Tech 6-1
Pacific 6-1
SMU 5-0
Syracuse 6-1
Texas Tech 5-0
UCLA 7-1
UNLV 9-1
Virginia 5-0
Wichita State 6-1
Wisconsin Green Bay 7-1
Xavier 6-0
The worst favorites this season have been
Bradley 0-4-1
Loyola Chicago 0-6
Notre Dame 1-7-1
Defense dominates
Once again, here is a list of the Top 5 college hoops teams on the defensive front, in defensive field goal percentage and rebounding margin. Look to “play on” these teams in either revenge or underdog roles:
Defensive Field Goal Percentage
1. SMU 35.7
2. Arizona 37.0
3. San Diego State 37.1
4. Clemson 37.2
5. Florida State 37.6
Rebounding Margin
1. Quinnipiac +14.2
2. Kentucky +12.3
3. Arizona +11.9
4. Indiana +11.3
5. Iowa +10.7
Here is a list of the Top 5 NBA defensive teams:
Scoring Defense
1. Pacers 89.2
2. Bulls 92.5
3. Raptors 96.2
4. Grizzlies 96.6
5. Bobcats 96.7
Rebounding Margin
1. Thunder +5.1
2. Pacers +4.5
3. Trailblazers +3.7
4. Bulls +3.3
5. Warriors +3.2
Cash for gold
After losing Kobe Bryant for most of the season this year, the Lakers have tanked in the standings, dropping to 16-27 in games thru January 23.
However, it’s been more like cash for gold for Laker backers in underdog roles this season with L.A. going 21-13-2 ATS when taking points.
That’s a stark comparison to the dismal 21-39 ATS mark the Lakers compiled as underdogs the previous two seasons.
Best role this season for the surfer dudes: 11-1 ATS as dogs in non-conference games.
Stat of the Week
The San Antonio Spurs are 12-1 ATS away in games after facing the Miami Heat. (Tuesday, 1/28).