Game Of The Day: Badgers at Boilermakers
By PATRICK GARBIN
Tenth-ranked Purdue (16-3, 4-3) hosts No. 16 Wisconsin (16-4, 6-2) in the teams’ second meeting in less than three weeks. On Jan. 9, the Badgers handed the Boilermakers their first loss of the season in a 73-66 upset.
Purdue’s initial loss was its first of three consecutive; however, the Boilermakers have rebounded with victories over Illinois and Michigan. Wisconsin has also won two in a row but has struggled against the spread, losing three consecutive and four of its last six.
Last time
In the first meeting, despite being a slight underdog at home, Wisconsin prevailed by seven points because of its rebounding and accurate shooting from the charity stripe and Purdue’s lack thereof.
The Badgers were 22 of 27 (81.5 percent) shooting free throws and grabbed 43 boards. Purdue had only 34 rebounds and was a dismal 13 of 24 (54 percent) on free throws, despite ranking 25th in the country in free throw percentage at more than 74-percent accuracy.
Losing Leuer
Wisconsin’s Jon Leuer has missed the last four games due to a wrist injury suffered against Purdue and is considered to be out indefinitely. Prior to the injury, the junior forward was second on the team in scoring (15.4 ppg), first in rebounding (6.2 rpg) and blocks (19), and averaged nearly two assists per game.
At the time of the injury, Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan said, “For those that have followed us and have seen the foul trouble Jon has been in in several games…you have to get it from someone who was a non-starter.”
The Badgers have primarily been “getting it” from Keaton Nankivil. After averaging 19.5 minutes and 4.8 points in Wisconsin’s first four conference games, the junior forward has averaged 32.3 minutes, 11 points, and 6.5 rebounds since Leuer’s injury.
Who’s hot?
Wisconsin guard Jordan Taylor had missed 18 consecutive field goal attempts over a span of three games before finally hitting a late 3-pointer in the Badgers’ last game against Penn State.
Taylor made his final six shots, including three 3-pointers, and scored 20 points in Wisconsin’s 79-71 win in overtime.
After averaging just six points per game during Purdue’s three-game losing streak, forward JaJuan Johnson scored 21 and 24 in the Boilermakers’ last two contests and was named the conference’s player of the week.
“We really put an emphasis on [getting Johnson the ball],” said Purdue coach Matt Painter. “Why we would get away from that doesn’t make sense.”
It has shown, when Johnson is playing at his best, the rest of the Boilermakers follow suit. In Purdue’s recent loss to Wisconsin, Johnson, a 73-percent free-throw shooter the last two seasons combined, made just 1 of 7 free throws and was held to seven points.
Mackey madness
Purdue rarely loses at Mackey Arena, recording a 40-6 record at home the last three seasons, including 9-1 this year. Wisconsin has struggled on the road this season, going 2-3 ATS in away games and 1-2 ATS at neutral sites.
The Badgers have especially had their troubles on the road in West Lafayette, In., winning just one of 32 games since 1972. The lone win came in 2005 against a Boilermaker squad who would eventually win only seven games the entire season.
Wisconsin will certainly have its hands full Thursday night, especially considering its history at Mackey and the fact Purdue will undoubtedly be seeking revenge for the setback it suffered to the Badgers earlier this month.
Trends
Purdue is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games. The Boilermakers are 2-5 ATS in Big Ten play for the season and 2-5 ATS in its last seven home games.
Although the underdog is 7-1 ATS in the last eight meetings between these two, Wisconsin is just 1-7 ATS in the previous eight games against Purdue.
The under is 37-18 in Wisconsin’s last 55 games versus Big Ten competition.
Thursday Hoops Action
By Judd Hall
There won’t be any shortage of college basketball action on Thursday with a full card of contests. Even better for the gambling public is that there are several televised games that will take them well into the early morning hours. Let’s look at a pair of those tilts that we can pace the floor about in the comfort of our own living rooms…or bars.
Wisconsin at Purdue – 7:00 p.m. EST, ESPN
Wisconsin (16-4 straight up, 9-7 against the spread) is holding onto its second place perch in the Big Ten with an iron grip. Although the Badgers had to work to keep pace in the league in their 79-71 win over Penn State in Madison on Jan. 24. Wisky found itself down 52-36 with just over 11 minutes left in the second half to the Nittany Lions. Bo Ryan’s crew buckled down on defense and relied on Jordan Taylor to score eight of his 20 points in the final two minutes of regulation to force overtime. Wisconsin would prove too much for lowly Penn State, but still failed to cover the spread as a 12-point home favorite. The combined 150 did easily surge ‘over’ the closing total of 117.
The Boilermakers are in no danger of missing the NCAA Tournament from what ESPN’s Joe Lunardi is saying (he’s got them as a No. 4 seed, if you were wondering). What Purdue (16-3 SU, 8-9-1 ATS) has to determine is how to beat the Big Ten’s better programs. Matt Painter’s crew lost suffered three straight losses in league play to Northwestern (not as bad as we’ve seen in the past), Ohio State and to these same Badgers on Jan. 9. The main issue for the Boilermakers in those contests is the fact that they shot less than 46 percent from the field in two of those three setbacks (41% vs. NW, 43% vs. OSU), which is their season average.
One thing Purdue has going for itself is Robbie Hummel. The junior forward is averaging 16.1 points per game this year with 7.0 rebounds per game. Hummel had a great game against Wisky earlier this season, picking up 13 points and seven boards in a losing effort.
While you don’t want to say you can afford to lose a game, Wisky can do just that. Wisconsin would end up with a split of the season series if they lose on Thursday night, but would still hold onto the No. 2 seed for the Big Ten. Purdue, however, would find itself plummet to sixth in the conference standings.
That win by the Badgers in the first meeting was something of an albatross. Before that setback, Purdue had gone 5-1 SU and 6-0 ATS in the six games versus Wisconsin in that time.
Las Vegas Sports Consultants (LVSC) has decided to list the Boilermakers as 10-point home favorites.
The ‘over’ has gone on a tidy 3-1 run when these two teams meet up. Could that lead to a nice long trend for us? Possibly as the ‘under came through in four straight meetings from March 2005 to January of 2008.
Purdue has been a friend to the ‘over’ bettors recently to boot with it going 4-1-2 in its last seven contests. The Badgers, on the other hand, has watched the ‘under’ go 9-2 in their past 11 fixtures this season.
Mississippi at Auburn – 9:00 p.m. EST, ESPNU
Perhaps Ole Miss (15-4 SU, 10-5 ATS) has stopped the bleeding. The Rebels opened the season with a 12-2 SU record in non-conference play. Once they jumped into their Southeastern Conference, the wheels fell off of the cart as they dropped two of their first three league games.
The Rebels appear to have turned that all around now with two straight wins over LSU and South Carolina. Mississippi lost the rebound battle in both of its SEC losses (Mississippi State and Tennessee) to start the league campaign. In the wins over the Tigers and Gamecocks, Ole Miss held a 63-57 advantage on the glass. Not a big edge, but it’s enough to determine if a team wins or loses.
Andy Kennedy has to hope his team can stay tough on the boards since a tourney berth is not a given. Lunardi only has them as an eighth seed in his brackets. Being an eighth seed is a where most of the lower level major conference schools will find themselves.
Auburn (10-10 SU, 6-8 ATS) doesn’t have to worry about making the NCAA Tournament. Hell, they don’t really have to worry about getting into the NIT at this point.
The Tigers have failed to show the ability to put together a full effort during the season. Normally they can put up one half of quality basketball, followed up by a bunch of disorganized pay. Auburn showed this off once again last Saturday at Vanderbilt. The Tigers jumped out to a surprising 43-32 lead at halftime. They proceeded to allow the Commodores to outscore them 50-31 to lose 82-74. At least Auburn played well enough to cover as a 13-point road pup. That is actually the only saving grace to the Tigers right now is that they’ve covered the spread in their last three games.
LVSC has tabbed the Rebels as five-point road faves for this contest.
Despite the lousy season Auburn has fared well against Ole Miss recently, as evidenced by a 3-1 SU and ATS record against the Rebels. And even though this isn’t the same Tigers’ squad that performed that well, they do have home court advantage, which has allowed them to go 3-1 SU and ATS since 2006.
Something will have to give here if we want to cash in with a totals play. The ‘over’ has hit in two straight for the Rebels, while the ‘under’ is on a 3-0 roll for Auburn.
If you need a tiebreaker for playing a side on the totals, then we’ll point you to the ‘under.’ Over the last nine meetings between these SEC foes, the ‘under’ has posted a 6-3 mark, hitting in the last two games.
vegasinsider.com
Late-Night Action
By Brian Edwards
Gamblers have a nice array of college basketball options for Thursday. A pair of important ACC games will come off the board early at 7:00 p.m. Eastern. The Big East is also in the mix, as Pitt will play host to St. John's. Thanks to the SEC's new deal with ESPN, we also have two games from that conference.
As usual, though, most of the Thursday action will go down on the West Coast, giving bettors a plethora of late-night options. That's where our focus will be, but we start out in the Big Ten with a huge showdown slated for tip at 7:00 ET. on ESPN.
**Wisconsin at Purdue**
Las Vegas Sports Consultants opened Purdue (16-3 straight up, 8-10-1 against the spread) as a 10–point favorite.
Wisconsin (16-4 SU, 10-8 ATS) is 6-2 in Big East play, two games behind league-leading Michigan State. The Badgers come to West Lafayette off a 79-71 win over Penn St. in overtime. The Nittany Lions covered the spread as 12-point underdogs.
Bo Ryan’s team is 0-2 ATS in a pair of road underdog situation this year (at Ohio St., at Michigan St.). For the season, Wisconsin owns a 3-2 spread record in five games as a ‘dog (home, away and neutral).
Purdue snapped a stunning three-game losing streak both SU and ATS by rallying for an 84-78 win at Illinois last Tuesday. The Boilermakers, who trailed for nearly the entire first half, hooked up their backers as five-point road favorites. JaJuan Johnson sparked the winners with a 24-point, 12-rebound effort. E’Twaun Moore added 16 points for the Boilers.
Matt Painter’s team has won nine of its 10 home games, going 5-5 versus the number. After beating the Illini last week, Purdue returned home and knocked off Michigan 69-59 on Saturday afternoon. Even with Manny Harris suspended for the Wolverines, they took the cash as 13 ½-point underdogs. Johnson had 21 points and seven rebounds for the Boilers.
When these teams met in Madison on Jan. 9, Purdue’s three-game slide began in a 73-66 loss at Wisconsin as a 1 ½-point road ‘chalk.’ Jordan Taylor led the Badgers with 23 points, while Jason Bohannon added 20 points. Moore had a game-high 24 points for the Boilers in the losing effort.
Despite the loss a few weeks ago, Purdue still has a 7-1 spread record in the last eight head-to-head meetings between these Big Ten adversaries.
The ‘over’ is 10-6 overall for Purdue, 6-4 in its home games. Meanwhile, Wisconsin has seen the ‘under’ cash tickets in nine of its last 11 games. The ‘under’ is 10-7 overall for the Badgers
ESPN will provide the telecast at 7:00 p.m. Eastern.
**UCLA at Oregon**
LVSC opened Oregon (10-9 SU, 5-11 ATS) as a four-point favorite.
Ernie Kent’s squad has dropped five in a row both SU and ATS, including Satuday’s 84-69 loss at Stanford as a 4 ½-point underdog. Tajuan Porter had a team-high 16 points after being kept out of double figures in the Ducks’ three previous games.
Porter’s struggles have been well documented this season. The senior guard is a high-volume shooter who doesn’t distribute much and is averaging a career-low 12.5 PPG. Porter’s s 37.5 shooting percentage from the floor is also a career low. He’s dishing out only 2.1 assists per contest.
UCLA (9-10 SU, 8-8 ATS) has won back-to-back games both SU and ATS, including Saturday’s 74-62 win over Washington St. as a 2 ½-point home ‘chalk.’ Nikola Dragovic scored 18 points to pace the Bruins.
Oregon has been mediocre at home, compiling an 8-5 SU record to go with an abysmal 3-7 ATS ledger.
As a road underdog this season, UCLA is 1-2 both SU and ATS. The Bruins lost at Stanford and at Notre Dame, but they pulled an upset at Cal by capturing a 76-75 overtime win as 14-point ‘dogs.
UCLA sophomore guard Jerime Anderson is “questionable” with a hip injury. Anderson has missed the Bruins’ last two games. He averages 6.2 points and 3.9 assists per game.
Ben Howland’s team has won five in a row over the Ducks. In addition, the Bruins are 10-3 ATS in their last 13 meetings with Oregon.
The ‘over’ is 8-3 overall for Oregon, 4-2 in its home games. Meanwhile, UCLA has seen the ‘under’ cash in four consecutive games although it is 8-8 overall for the year.
FSN will have television coverage at 10:30 p.m. Eastern.
**Gonzaga at Santa Clara**
LVSC opened Gonzaga (16-3 SU, 9-6-1 ATS) as a 13-point favorite.
Mark Few’s team has won eight in a row, going 6-2 ATS during that stretch. However, we should note that both non-covers came in the Bulldogs’ last two games, including Satuday’s 85-69 win over Loyola-Marymount as a 20 ½-point home favorite. Elias Harris paced the ‘Zags with 22 points and eight rebounds against LMU. Matt Bouldin added 19 points, six rebounds, four assists and a pair of steals.
Santa Clara (9-13 SU, 7-10 ATS) snapped a five-game losing streak Saturday be winning 66-65 at San Francisco as a six-point underdog. Marc Trasolini erupted for a game-high 26 points on 10-of-15 shooting from the field to lead the Broncos to victory.
Santa Clara is 5-8 SU and 4-6 ATS at home. The ‘under’ is 8-6 overall for the Broncos, 5-4 in their home assignments.
Gonzaga is 4-0 ATS in true road games this year, 5-0 if we count a game against Illinois in Chicago (we should). However, the ‘Zags haven’t been a double-digit road ‘chalk’ until this spot.
Santa Clara has been a double-digit home underdog just once this season. In that situation, the Broncos took the money in an 80-72 loss to Saint Mary’s as 12 ½-point puppies.
Bouldin is the catalyst for Gonzaga, leading the team in scoring (16.4 PPG), assists (4.1 APG) and steals (1.8 SPG).
Gonzaga has won seven straight against Santa Clara, going 4-3 ATS. When the Bulldogs went to Santa Clara last season, they won by an 81-73 count but the Broncos covered the number as 10-point underdogs.
The ‘over’ is an incredible 15-2 in the last 17 head-to-head meetings between these WCC rivals.
The ‘over’ is on a 7-1 run for Gonzaga and is a lucrative 13-3 overall for the season.
Tip-off is scheduled for 11:00 p.m. Eastern on ESPN2.
vegasinsider.com.
NCAA News and Notes
Thursday, January 28
Information on the best of Thursday's college basketball games........
Home side won eight of last ten Wake Forest-Georgia Tech games, with Deacons losing last five games here by 1-15-14-8-2 points. Underdogs are 3-0 vs spread in Tech's ACC home games; Jackets are 2-1 at home in ACC, with wins by 4-2 points (0-2 as home favorite). Wake is 2-1 as an ACC road underdog, losing by a point at Miami, by 20 at Duke.
Seton Hall won three of last four games but is 0-2 in Big East road, with losses by 8 at UConn, 12 at Georgetown. South Florida won in OT last game at Providence, after being down nine in last 1:30. Bulls lost seven in a row to Seton Hall, losing last two played here by 5-10 points. USF is 4-1-1 against the spread in its last six games.
Virginia Tech won last four games vs Virginia, with three of the wins by three points or in OT; they won last two visits here by 1-14 pts; they're 0-2 on ACC road, losing by 14 at Carolina, 5 at Florida State. Cavaliers are 3-1 in ACC, winning home games by 7 over Georgia Tech, 18 over Miami. Tech allowed average of 63.7 ppg in its last three games.
Purdue (+2) lost 73-66 at Wisconsin Jan 9, making just 13-24 from foul line, 3-10 from arc; that started Boilers' three-game skid, but they won last two games, by 6-10 points. Purdue is 2-4 as Big 11 favorite, 1-2 at home- they've got home wins by 19-10 points, with loss to Ohio State. Badgers are 4-0 at home in Big 11, winning by 22-7-7-8 points.
Stanford won four of last five games vs Arizona but lost four of its last five visits to Tucson, losing by 18-9-14-14 points; home team is 7-0 in Cardinal's Pac-10 games (5-1-1 vs spread). Stanford is 0-3 on the Pac-10 road, losing by 26-33-4 points. Arizona covered its last four games, won three of those four. Underdog is 7-0 vs spread in their conference games.
South Alabama won 96-93 in OT at Florida Atlantic Jan 2, after trailing by 10 at half; Jaguars shot 54.5% from floor, made 28-45 from foul line, while FAU was 18-26. Owls won five of six games since then (6-0 vs spread); they're 4-0 as Sun Belt road dog, losing by 7 at both Western Kentucky, ULL. South Alabama lost five of six games since that win.
Underdog covered five of last seven Cal-Arizona State games; Bears won five of last six visits here, losing 83-66 here LY. Cal won four of last five games; they split two road games, winning by 5 in Pullman, losing by 25 in Seattle. ASU won four of last five games; they're 2-1 at home in Pac-10, beating Washington schools by 17-25 points, losing to Arizona.
USC won eight of last nine games vs Oregon State, winning three of last four visits here by 2-45-24 points; Trojans covered five of last six series games. USC is 1-2 on Pac-10 road, losing at Stanford by point, at Cal by 8, winning by 21 at UCLA. Beavers are 2-5 in Pac-10, 1-1 at home; they ost last three games overall by 9-24-4 points. Pac-10 home dogs: 3-2.
Auburn won three of last four games vs Ole Miss, winning three of last four played here, but Tigers are 1-4 in SEC, 0-2 at home, losing by 9 to South Carolina, 5 to Kentucky. Underdog is 4-1 vs spread in their SEC games. Rebels won three of last four games; they're 2-1 on SEC road, as they lost in OT at Tennessee, but won at Georgia and LSU.
Home side won eight of last nine Miss State-Arkansas games; Bulldogs lost three of last four visits here, losing by 10-9-20 points. Miss State is 3-1 in SEC, splitting pair of 5-point road decisions. Underdog is 3-1 vs spread in their SEC games. Hogs were down 57-27 at half of last game; they lost 82-80 in Starkville Jan 14 despite making 8-18 from the arc.
UCLA won five in row, nine of last ten games vs Oregon, winning four of last five visits here, with wins by 8-7-5-9 points. Bruins are 4-3 so far in Pac-10, 1-1 on road, winning by point at Cal, losing by at Stanford by 11-they're 3-1 as Pac-10 underdog. Oregon lost its last five games, with last four all by 14+. Pac-10 home favorites are 11-16 against spread.
Road team is 5-0 vs spread in Gonzaga's WCC games; Bulldogs won all three road games, by 3-7-18 points. Santa Clara is 1-4 in WCC but is 3-1 vs spread in last three games- they lost their two WCC home games by 9-8 points (1-1 as home dog). WCC home underdogs are 3-2 vs spread. Gonzaga is 15-1 in last 16 series games (3-3 vs spread in last six here).
Siena star Ubiles has back/shoulder issues, is ?able here; Siena is 10-0 in MAAC, 4-0 as road favorites, winning away games by 13-20-8-8 pts. Saints (-18.5) beat St Peter's 64-53 Dec 31; they were 26-35 from foul line, Peacocks 8-13. St Peter's won its last five games. allowing 55.8 ppg in last four- they won last three at home. MAAC home dogs: 3-11.
Wisconsin seeks sweep of Purdue
By Doug Upstone
Annually one of the most confounding teams in the country is Wisconsin. Even though Bo Ryan can X and O with the best in college basketball, a look at the roster before the season screams of this school not being in the Top 125 talent-wise. Yet here they are, in second place the Big Ten Conference with 6-2 record, which appears to be improved over recent years. The Badgers (16-4, 10-8 ATS) will lean a little heavier on guard Trevon Hughes, with versatile forward Jon Leuer out three to four more weeks with broken wrist. Wisconsin is 7-3 ATS vs. teams like Purdue allowing 64 or less points a game this season.
Last week, the Boilermakers (16-3, 9-10 ATS) broke their three-game losing skid at Illinois 84-78, getting a lift from unlikely source which seemed to elevate the entire squad. John Hart, who had played all of 33 minutes and wasnt even in official score book for that game, came off the bench to score 14 points (12 in second half) to lead Purdue charge. Coach Matt Painter hopes this leads to others being productive off the bench which invigorates the team to play more for each other, instead of feeling pressured to produce on individual basis. Purdue is 15-7 ATS in home games after a conference game over the last three seasons.
Wisconsin has seen guard Jordan Taylor rise to the occasion with the absence of Leuer, scoring and displaying all around floor game. This could be challenging spot the Badgers; since they are 4-9-1 ATS in road games vs. teams with a winning home record.
Purdue is still jittery home favorite, sporting 9-1 and .500 spread record. The win at Champaign was followed up with mauling Michigan in first half 43-27, but let backers down in being outscored by six points in final stanza and failing to cover the 13-point spread.
The Boilers have normally blasted the Badgers at home and are on 8-1 SU and ATS run against them, which is why Betonline.com has them as eight-point favorites. Purdue is 9-2 when playing with three or more days rest, nonetheless is vile 3-8 ATS with this much time to practice.
Wisconsin took the earlier meeting 73-66 at the Kohl Center as one-point home underdogs and has covered six of last seven Thursday throw-downs.
This Big Ten battle is in the 7:00 Eastern Time slot on ESPN with a total of 126 and the Badgers are 1-10 UNDER on the road and Purdue is 6-2 OVER on Thursday nights.
(16) Wisconsin (16-4, 10-8 ATS) at (10) Purdue (16-3, 8-10-1 ATS)
The Boilermakers look to avenge a loss to Wisconsin from earlier this month when these Big Ten rivals clash once again, this time at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Ind.
The Badgers are coming off consecutive home wins over Michigan (54-48) and Penn State (79-71 in overtime, but they failed to cover in both games and are now in an 0-3 ATS freefall. Wisconsin is 6-2 (4-4 ATS) in conference play, but both losses came on the road at Ohio State (60-51 as a 5½-point underdog) and Michigan State (54-47 as a six-point pup). For the season, Bo Ryan’s squad is 12-0 at home (7-3 ATS) and 4-4 in road/neutral site games (3-5 ATS).
Purdue ripped off 14 straight wins to start the season, then stumbled at Wisconsin 73-66 as a 1½-point favorite on Jan. 9, which began an 0-3 SU and ATS slump. The Boilermakers righted themselves last week with consecutive wins over Illinois (84-78 as a five-point road chalk) and Michigan (69-59, failing as a 13½-point home favorite). Purdue has now failed to cover in seven of its last 10 games, going 2-5 ATS in Big Ten action. It is also 9-1 at Mackey Arena (3-5-1 ATS), outscoring visitors by 19 ppg (79-60).
Wisconsin’s seven-point win over Purdue earlier this month ended the Boilermakers’ 4-0 SU and 7-0 ATS run in this rivalry. The Badgers have lost three in a row in West Lafayette SU and ATS and they’re 1-6 ATS in their last seven trips to Purdue, including last year’s 65-52 setback as a six-point road underdog. That’s the only time in the last eight meetings that the favorite covered the spread in this series.
The Badgers are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games on Thursday, while Purdue is in pointspread ruts of 3-7 overall, 2-5 at home, 1-4 on Thursday, 1-4 against winning teams and 2-5 after a SU victory.
Wisconsin is riding “under” streaks of 9-2 overall, 10-1 on the highway, 6-1 on Thursday, 37-18 in Big Ten play and 38-17-1 after a SU victory. The under is also 4-1 in the last five Badgers-Boilermakers clashes at Purdue. However, these squads topped the total earlier this month in Madison, Wis., and Purdue is on “over” stretches of 4-1 overall (all in conference) and 6-2 on Thursday.
ATS ADVANTAGE: PURDUE
Wake Forest (14-4, 8-7 ATS) at (22) Georgia Tech (14-5, 10-4 ATS)
Wake Forest shoots for its third straight victory when it heads south to Alexander Memorial Coliseum for an ACC battle with the 22nd-ranked Yellow Jackets.
The Demon Deacons followed up an 82-69 road upset of North Carolina with Saturday’s 69-57 rout of Virginia as a 5½-point home chalk. Wake Forest has won 10 of its last 12 games (7-5 ATS), but both defeats came on the road in ACC play (90-70 at Duke and 67-66 at Miami, Fla.). The Deacons are still a respectable 5-3 SU and ATS on the highway this season.
Georgia Tech’s mini two-game win streak ended with Sunday’s 68-66 loss at Florida State, though it cashed as a five-point underdog for its third straight ATS triumph. The Yellow Jackets are 2-1 SU and ATS in conference home games, with the two wins over Duke and Clemson being by a total of six points. For the season, they’re 9-1 at Alexander Coliseum (4-1 ATS in lined games), putting up 75.7 ppg while yielding just 59.5.
Wake Forest snapped a three-game losing streak to Georgia Tech last year with an 87-69 victory as a 13½-point home favorite. The host is 8-1 in the last nine regular-season meetings (7-2 ATS), Georgia Tech is 5-1 ATS in the last six clashes in Atlanta and the SU winner has covered the spread in each of the last nine battles.
The Demon Deacons are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 on the highway going back to last season, but they’ve failed to cover in five straight games on Thursday. Georgia Tech is on pointspread tears of 4-1 overall, 5-1 at home, 8-2 in ACC play, 4-1 on Thursday, 5-0 after a SU defeat, 8-2 after a spread-cover and 4-1 versus winning teams.
The under is on runs of 4-1 for Wake on the road, 5-2 for Wake in ACC action, 4-1 for the Yellow Jackets overall, 5-1 for the Yellow Jackets at home and 6-1 for the Yellow Jackets against league foes. On the flip side, the last five meetings in this rivalry have gone over the posted total.
ATS ADVANTAGE: GEORGIA TECH
California (13-6, 9-9 ATS) at Arizona State (14-6, 7-9 ATS)
Arizona State hopes to get back on track after an ugly loss to instate rival Arizona as it welcomes the Golden Bears to Wells-Fargo Arena in Tempe for a Pac-10 contest.
Cal has won two in a row, four of five and seven of its last nine, but it barely snuck past lowly Oregon State on Saturday, winning 65-61 but falling way short as a hefty 15½-point home favorite. The Bears are 5-2 in Pac-10 games, but just 3-4 ATS, and they’ve split their first two conference roadies, winning at Washington State (93-88 as a four-point chalk) and losing at Washington (85-69 as a 2½-point pup).
The Sun Devils’ 4-0 SU and ATS winning streak went up in smoke on Saturday, as they got embarrassed by hated Arizona, losing 77-58 as an 11-point home favorite. The SU winner has covered the spread in each of Arizona State’s last eight lined games, including all seven conference contests. Despite that terrible showing against Arizona, the Sun Devils are still 11-2 at home (4-5 ATS), holding visiting teams to just 52.8 ppg.
These teams split their two-game series last year, with Cal rolling 81-71 as a 1½-point home underdog and the Sun Devils getting revenge 83-66 as a seven-point home favorite. Prior to last year, the visitor had been on an 8-0 SU and ATS roll in this rivalry. The visitor is still 13-3 ATS in the last 16 meetings – with Cal cashing in eight of its last nine trips to Tempe – and the ‘dog has covered in five of the last six. Finally, the SU winner has covered the spread in each of the last 10 head-to-head matchups.
Cal has failed to cover in seven of its last eight road games and nine of its last 13 Pac-10 contests, but it is 4-1 ATS in its last five after a non-cover. The Sun Devils are on ATS runs of 4-1 overall (all in the Pac-10 and all against winning teams) and 16-5 after a non-cover.
The Bears are on “over” streaks of 25-12 on the road, 36-17-1 in league play, 24-9 on Thursday, 45-18-1 after a SU victory and 9-0 against opponents with a winning record. Arizona State carries “over” trends of 13-4 after a double-digit home loss, 5-2 on Thursday and 12-2 versus winning teams. However, nine of the Sun Devils’ last 10 home games have stayed low.
Finally, these teams have topped the total in each of their last four meetings overall and six of their last seven clashes at Arizona State.
ATS ADVANTAGE: CAL and OVER