Betting news, trends, odds and predictions from various handicappers and websites for Thursday 2/6/20
Thursday's Tip Sheet
David Schwab
This Thursday night’s college basketball betting board is highlighted by a pair of matchups in the Pac-12 featuring two of the conference’s three teams ranked in the latest AP Top 25.
The first game sends the California Golden Bears to Bolder to square off against the No. 24 Colorado Buffaloes. Later that night, the USC Trojans will be on the road for a matchup against the No. 23 Arizona Wildcats.
California Golden Bears at No. 24 Colorado Buffaloes
(Pac-12 Network, 8 p.m. ET)
Opening Odds: Colorado -17, Total 127.5
Betting Matchup
California recently earned a straight-up split against the state of Oregon on its home court by losing to the Ducks 77-72 ahead of Saturday’s tight 69-67 victory against Oregon State. The Golden Bears covered as underdogs in each game to improve to 5-2 against the spread over their last seven games. They are 4-4 SU in Pac-12 play and 10-11 SU (9-12 ATS) overall. The total went OVER in those last two games.
Cal’s leading scorer this season is Matt Bradley with 17.9 points per game. The sophomore guard has scored a combined 48 points in his last two starts.
Colorado is a half game in back of Oregon for the lead in the Pac-12 at 6-3 (SU and ATS). It followed up a 72-68 road loss to UCLA as a 4 ½-point favorite with Saturday’s 78-57 road rout of USC as a slight 1 ½-point underdog. The Buffaloes (17-5 SU, 11-10-1 ATS) are 3-1 SU and ATS in their last four games with the total going OVER in four of their last six outings.
Tyler Bey had the hot hand against USC with 16 points. Junior guard McKinley Wright IV (13.4 points) added 12 points and eight assists to the winning cause as the team’s leading scorer this season.
Betting Trends
-- The Golden Bears are 0-5 ATS this season on the road and they are 5-10 ATS in 15 games closing as underdogs.
-- The Buffaloes have won their last three home games both SU and ATS. They are 6-5-1 ATS at home on the year. The total has gone OVER in eight of their last nine home games.
-- Colorado has won the last four meetings SU but the series is tied 2-2 ATS. The total has stayed UNDER in eight of the last 10 games between the two.
USC Trojans at No. 23 Arizona Wildcats
(ESPN2, 9 p.m. ET)
Opening Odds: Arizona -10, Total 139.5
Betting Matchup
With Saturday’s loss to Colorado, the Trojans (17-5 SU, 12-10 ATS) fall to 6-3 SU and ATS in the conference. This loss followed a 56-52 victory against Utah on Jan. 30 as eight-point home favorites. The total has stayed UNDER in their last three games with an average of 62.7 PPG. On the year, USC is averaging 72.3 point a game with a trio of players scoring at least 11 PPG.
The Trojans are shooting 43.9 percent from the field and 34.9 percent from three point range. Defensively, they are giving up an average of 67.2 PPG.
Arizona (15-6 SU, 12-9 ATS) is also in the mix for the Pac-12 regular season title at 5-3 SU in the current standings. The Wildcats are 4-1 both SU and ATS in their last five games after knocking off Washington State 66-49 on Saturday as 8 ½-point road favorites. They beat Washington on the road 75-72 to barely cover the two-point closing spread in their previous game.
The total has stayed UNDER in three of Arizona’s last four contests. Three players scored in double figures in Saturday’s win led by Stone Gettings’ 19 points. The Wildcats are averaging 79.8 PPG.
Betting Trends
-- The Trojans have covered in six of their seven road games this season. They are 5-2 ATS in seven games closing as underdogs.
-- The Wildcats are 10-1 SU in 11 previous home games while going 9-2 ATS. The total has gone OVER in four of their last six games at home as favorites.
-- Arizona has a SU 7-3 record in its last 10 games against USC with the slight 6-4 edge ATS. The total has stayed UNDER in four of the last six meetings.
NCAAB
Armadillo's Write-Up
Thursday, February 6
Charleston lost 67-56 at Wm & Mary Jan 11; home side won last seven series games. Tribe lost last three visits to Charleston, by 10-5-15 points. W&M lost three of last five games after starting CAA play 6-0; Tribe is 4-1 on CAA road, but this is their first road game in 19 days- they scored 60 or fewer points in four of last five games. Charleston won three of its last four games, is 8-3 in CAA, but they lost two of their last three home games. These two teams are in a 3-way tie with Hofstra for first place in CAA. CAA home favorites of 6+ points are 12-7-1 ATS.
Tulsa upset UConn 79-75 in Hartford Jan 26, outscoring Huskies 24-12 on foul line, their fifth straight win over UConn, all by 6 or fewer points. Underdogs covered five of last seven series games. UConn lost seven of its last nine games after a a 9-3 start; they’re 2-6 in ACC, with last five losses all by 7 or fewer points. Tulsa won its last six games, since a 75-44 loss at Cincinnati; they’re 7-1 in AAC, holding opponents to 22.8% on arc. Tulsa is a strong defensive team; their eFG% defense is #31 in country. AAC home favorites of 5 or fewer points are 6-7 ATS.
Cincinnati won six of its last seven games after an 8-6 start; Bearcats are 7-2 in AAC, 2-2 on road, losing at Tulane/Memphis. AAC teams are shooting 40.7% inside arc vs Cincy. Wichita State lost three of its last five games after a 15-1 start; Shockers 5-3 in AAC, 3-1 at home, with only loss to Houston. Wichita’s eFG% defense is #10 in country; they struggle on offense. Cincy won its last four games with Wichita, winning its last two visits here, by 1-11 points. Underdogs covered four of last five series games. AAC home favorites of 5 or fewer points are 6-7 ATS.
Belmont lost 85-75 at Murray State two weeks ago; Racers made 12-21 on arc, outscored Belmont 19-5 on foul line. Belmont is 5-3 in last eight series games, winning last three meetings here, by 1-8-7 points; Murray beat them in last two OVC tourneys. Murray is 10-0 in OVC, 4-0 on road; this is their first road game in 19 years. Racers have made 40.9% of their 3’s in OVC games. Belmont is 7-3 in OVC, 3-1 at home; Bruins are shooting 35.7% on arc, getting 38% of their points on the arc. OVC home favorites of 6 or fewer points are 8-5 ATS.
Austin Peay made 14-28 on arc, scored 1.43 ppp in its 99-74 rout of Tennessee State two weeks ago; teams split last six series games. Governors lost two of last three visits here. AP is 10-0 in OVC, 4-0 on road, with one win by fewer than 11 points; Governors have made 42.4% of their 3’s in OVC games, are grabbing 33.5% of their missed shots. TSU is 6-4 in OVC, 3-1 at home, with only loss by 4 to EKU; Tigers are turning ball over 23.6% of time (#345), but are making 36.6% of their 3’s (#42). OVC road favorites of 4 or fewer points are 3-4-2 ATS.
USC won 11 of its last 14 games; they’re 6-3 in Pac-12, 3-2 on road- two of their last three losses were by 21+ points. Trojans are turning ball over 21.2% of time in Pac-12 games, are shooting only 45.5% inside arc. Arizona won four of its last five games, is 5-3 in Pac-12, winning last two road games, after losing first three. USC swept Arizona LY, by 23-13 points, after losing seven of previous eight series games. Trojans lost their last nine visits to Tucson, with five of last six losses there by 13+ points. Pac-12 double digit home favorites are 7-2 ATS.
Home side won last five Western Kentucky-Louisiana Tech games; Bulldogs lost their last two visits to WKU, by 1-6 points. Tech won four in row, 10 of last 12 games; they’re 8-2 in C-USA, 4-1 on road, with lone loss at UTSA. Bulldogs are #33 experience team that forces turnovers 21.4% of time (#63). Hilltoppers lost their last two games, are 7-3 in C-USA, 5-0 at home, with three wins by 7 or fewer points. WKU is forcing turnovers 22.2% of time in conference games, best in league. C-USA favorites 2 or fewer points are 10-2-1 ATS this season.
Montana scored 1.22 ppp, whacked Eastern Washington 90-63 in Cheney Jan 9, their 4th win in last five series games. Teams split their last six meetings in Missoula. Underdogs are 6-1-1 ATS in last eight series games. EWU won its last six games, is 8-2 in Big Sky, 5-1 on road, with only loss by 6 at Idaho State. Three of Eagles’ last four wins were by 5 or fewer points. Montana is 8-3 in Big Sky, 5-0 at home, with three wins by 7 or fewer points; they’ve made 40.2% of their 3’s in conference games. Big Sky home favorites of 3 or fewer points are 2-5 ATS.
Santa Barbara was 2-15 on arc in its 70-63 loss at Hawai’i Jan 18; both teams shot 57%+ inside arc for game. Home side won six of last seven series games; Rainbows lost their last three visits to Thunderdome, by 2-2-18 points. Hawai’i won six of its last seven games; they’re 5-1 in Big West, losing by 14 at Cal-Irvine, winning their other road game at Fullerton.UCSB lost four of its last six games after a 10-4 start; Gauchos are 3-4 in Big West, losing two of three home games. Big West home favorites of 5 or fewer points are 2-6 ATS this season.
Pepperdine made 11-24 on arc, won 90-86 in OT at Santa Clara two weeks ago; Broncos were only 9-31 on arc. Santa Clara won six of last eight series games; they won their last three visits to Malibu, by 14-14-8. Broncos split last eight games overall; they’re 5-4 in WCC, 3-2 on road, are experience team #308 that is 16-6 vs schedule #285. Pepperdine won five of last seven games; they’re 5-4 in WCC, splitting four home games. Waves’ eFG% defense is #331 in country. WCC home favorites of 4 or fewer points are 2-4 ATS.
Stanford lost three of its last four games after a 15-2 start; Cardinal is 5-3 in Pac-12, 1-2 on road, with lone win at UCLA. Stanford’s eFG% defense is #13 in country. Utah lost six of its last eight games; they’re 3-6 in Pac-12, but 3-1 at home, with lone loss by 5 to Oregon. Utah won its last three games with Stanford, by 8-15-4 points; underdogs covered four of last six series games. Cardinal lost their last four visits to SLC, by 16-22-8-15 points. Pac-12 home teams are 9-7 ATS this season., in games with spread of 3 or fewer points.
San Francisco made 10-21 on arc, held on to beat Pacific 79-75 in Stockton Jan 11, after leading by 21 at one point. Dons won seven in row, 13 of last 14 games vs Pacific; Tigers lost their last six visits to USF. Pacific is 5-4 in WCC, 2-2 on road, losing last two away games, by 4 at Santa Clara, 33 at Gonzaga. Tigers are experience team #89 whose subs play #2 minutes in country. USF won five of its last seven games, is 5-4 in WCC, but 0-3 vs Zags/St Mary’s. Dons lost a tough 83-79 home game with Gonzaga Saturday. WCC home favorites of 6+ points are 14-4-1 ATS.
UCLA won four of its last five games after an 8-9 start; they’re 5-4 in Pac-12, splitting four road games, winning at Washington/Oregon State by total of six points. Arizona State won three of its last four games, is 4-4 in Pac-12- their last three games were all decided by 4 or fewer points. Sun Devils’ eFG% is #244 in country. ASU won its last three games with UCLA, by 9-11-11 points; teams split last four meetings to Tucson. Favorites covered four of last five series games. Pac-12 home favorites of 7 or fewer points are 10-4 ATS.