NCAAB Betting News and Notes Wednesday, November 16th, 2016

NCAAB Knowledge

Butler won its opener by 37 over Northern Colorado; Bulldogs forced 19 turnovers- they have 3 starters back from 22-11 team. They’re 12-2 in last 14 non-league games, with losses to Miami/Virginia LY. Northwestern won its first two games by 31-14 points, also beating a Big Sky team (Eastern Washington) in its last game. Wildcats are 14-1 in last 15 non-league games, but they played #334 (out of 351) non-league schedule LY. Big 14 teams are 6-5 vs spread in last 11 games as an underdog vs Big East teams; they’re 10-12 SU this year and last.

Rhode Island is a top 25 team; they’ve won last four games with in-state rival Brown, but LY they needed OT to beat Bruins after trailing by 15 with 11:18 to play. Rams are healthier this year, won first two games this year by 23-42 points over Dartmouth/Marist. Brown lost by 29 at Cincinnati in its opener, then beat Niagara at home. Bruins have 4 starters back from an 8-20 team that went 3-11 in conference play. Atlantic 14 teams are 8-1 SU in last nine games vs Ivy League teams (6-3 vs spread). URI could be looking ahead to Saturday game with Cincinnati.

Tulsa lost 7 of its top 8 scorers from LY and then lost its opener at home to Jacksonville State; not good. Gamecocks shot 67% inside arc against Tulsa, so their defense needs work. Golden Hurricane made 10-22 on arc, beat Wichita State by 10 at home LY, big win for them. Revenge is in the air here. Wichita won its first two games by 46-37 points; they lost VanVleet/Baker from LY’s team but still has talent, with 2 starters back from LY’s 26-9 team. AAC teams won/covered last four games against MVC squads.

Former Wyoming coach McClain is rebuilding Ill-Chicago program; this is his second year. Flames lost opener 82-80 at San Francisco, making 11-23 on arc but only 15-28 on foul line. UIC rallied from 17-point second half deficit to tie USF before losing in last minute. UTSA lost its first two games by 3-8 points to Fresno/Oregon State. Roadrunners have new coach; they made just 25% of 3’s in first two games. C-USA teams are 2-0 vs Horizon teams last two years, winning by 1-5 points (1-1 vs spread).

Memphis/Milwaukee both have new coaches, but Tubby Smith is Memphis coach- he is very good. Tigers beat a stiff by 19 in their opener. Memphis has 2 starters back from a 19-15 team that was considered a disappointment. Milwaukee fired its coach LY after a 20-13 season; they lost all five starters, hired a coach off of Michigan’s staff and are starting over. Panthers beat a cupcake I’ve never heard of in their opener. AAC/Horizon teams split two meetings the last two years; favorites covered both games. AAC home favorites are 3-2 against the spread.

Cal-Santa Barbara won 68-61 at San Francisco LY, after leading 41-13 late in first half; Gauchos lost their opener by 14 at home to Omaha- they generally play better after New Year’s. USF is blew a 17-point second half lead in its opener but beat UIC 82-80; Dons have a new coach, only one starters back from LY’s 15-15 team. USF forced 25 turnovers in its first game, surviving 20 TO’s of their own. Big West teams are 4-4 vs spread in last 8 games as favorites vs WCC teams; they’re 10-16 SU vs WCC squads the last two years.

UNLV has a new coach, almost an entirely new roster this year; they lost opener by 8 at home to South Alabama. Rebels outscored USA 24-4 on foul line, but were 2-15 behind arc, -7 in turnovers. Cal-Riverside lost its opener by 16 at Portland (shot just 5-27 on arc), then beat a stiff easily last game. Highlanders have a solid frontcourt, with 3 starters back from LY’s 14-19 team, but they haven’t had a winning season since 2009. Mountain West teams are 7-5 in last 12 games vs Big West teams, 2-5-1 vs spread when favored.

Cal Bears beat South Dakota State by 29 in their opener and NBA prospect Rabb didn’t play; Bears made 12-32 on arc, led 40-28 at half. Cal-Irvine is much younger than its been last few years; Anteaters beat same South Dakota State team by 15, after losing its opener at home to Utah State by 16. UCI has a young team, will play faster with 7-6 center Ndiaye off to pro ball. Cal will be looking ahead to its next game, against San Diego State, might overlook Irvine. Pac-12 teams are 12-9 vs spread in last 21 games vs Big West opponents.

Morehead State beat Lipscomb by 14 in its first D-I game this year; Eagles beat Marshall last three years, by 8-9-24 points. Morehead was #21 in country LY at forcing turnovers; lost 3 starters from a 23-14 team that lost to Nevada in finals of CBI tourney. Marshall is coached by Mike D’Antoni’s brother; they played #3 tempo in country LY while going 13-7 in their last 20 games of what was a breakthrough season for them. Herd has has 4 starters back from LY’s team. OVC teams are 9-5-1 vs spread in last 15 games against C-USA sides.

Fort Wayne was 24-40 on foul line in its opener, a 9-point loss at Arkansas; Hogs shot 58% inside against them, in an 80-possession track meet. Mastodons have 3 starters back from 24-10 team that lost in first round of NIT. Illinois State lost opener 73-70 at Murray State, after blowing 8-point lead in second half. Redbirds have 4 starters back from an 18-14 team and is expected to challenge for MVC title this winter. ISU played only six guys more than 11:00. Summit League teams are 4-2 vs spread in last six games vs MVC teams.

Jacksonville State won its opener at Tulsa for new coach Harper, who was fired by Western Kentucky last spring- they lost last game by 26 to Missouri State. JSU turned ball over 28.3% of time (#331) in its first two games. Harper will know WKU squad very well, seeing how he coached them the last five years. Hilltoppers’ new coach is former Miss State coach Stansbury; WKU won its opener by 13 over Alabama State, outscoring them 24-5 on foul line. OVC teams are 9-5-1 vs spread in last 15 games against C-USA sides.

SE Missouri lost its opener by 19 at Illinois; they were only 2-5 on foul line. Redhawks went 5-24 LY under former Miss State coach Ray (he replaced Stansbury at MSU), who brought in lot of new players this year to raise talent level. Western Illinois lost its opener by 27 at Kansas State; Leathernecks upset Wisconsin in Madison LY, but are now 3-16 in last 19 D-I games. Summit League teams are 7-1 SU in last eight games (6-2 vs spread) in last eight games against OVC squads. OVC road underdogs are 5-4 vs spread so far this season.

Northern Illinois won its opener in OT over Indiana State- they got to foul line 37 times. Huskies beat Idaho last two years by 11-7 points. NIU has 3 starters back from LY’s 21-13 team that was NIU’s first 20-win team in 20 years. Idaho beat a stif in its first game; Vandals were 21-13 LY, their first winning season in four years. Idaho has 4 starters back from that team, but everyone in Big Sky has lot of starters back this year. Big Sky teams are 2-1 vs spread in last three games with MAC teams. Big Sky road underdogs are 7-6 against the spread this season.

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