Florida (15-5, 8-7 ATS) at (14) Tennessee (15-4, 8-7-1 ATS)
Having suffered back-to-back losses, the Volunteers will try to get back on track when they welcome suddenly surging Florida to Thompson-Boling Arena for an SEC East clash.
The Gators dropped their first two SEC games to Vanderbilt (95-87 on the road) and Kentucky (89-77 at home), but they’ve since ripped off four straight wins, all in league play, going 3-1 ATS. On Wednesday, Florida pummeled Georgia 87-71 as a nine-point home favorite, and it has now scored more than 70 points in five of six SEC contests.
Tennessee took a seven-game winning streak into last Saturday’s league game at Georgia and it got crushed 78-63 as a 6½-point road favorite. Then the Vols returned home Wednesday to face No. 21 Vanderbilt and blew a four-point halftime lead, losing 85-76, again laying 6½ points. Tennessee has followed up a 4-0 ATS run by failing to cash in three of its last four (all in conference).
The Vols are on a 5-0 SU and ATS roll in this rivalry, taking last year’s two meetings by scores of 79-63 (as a four-point home chalk) and 79-75 (as a 4½-point road underdog). Tennessee is 4-0 SU and ATS in the last four meetings in Knoxville, with the last three being double-digit routs. Finally, the Vols are 9-2 SU and ATS in the last 11 against Florida and 13-3 ATS in the last 16.
The Gators have cashed in seven of 10 after a SU victory and four of five on the road, while Tennessee is 5-2 ATS in its last seven against winning teams, but 1-5 ATS in its last six after a SU defeat and 1-3-1 ATS in its last five after a non-cover.
Both teams are on a slew of low-scoring streaks. For the Gators, the under is on runs of 13-4 overall, 4-1 on the road, 24-9-1 after a SU win, 7-1 after a spread-cover and 4-1 on Sunday, while Tennessee carries “under” trends of 10-4 overall, 6-2 at home, 11-5 in SEC play and 5-0 on Sunday. Also, both of last year’s Vols-Gators battles stayed under the total.
ATS ADVANTAGE: TENNESSEE and UNDER
Minnesota (13-7, 9-10 ATS) at (20) Ohio State (15-6, 10-11 ATS)
Minnesota will try to snap a three-game road losing streak and hand the Buckeyes their first home defeat of the season when these Big Ten rivals complete their season series at Value City Arena.
The Golden Gophers ended a three-game losing streak with Tuesday’s 65-61 victory over Northwestern, but they never threatened to cover as a 12½-point home favorite, their fourth straight ATS setback. Minnesota started the conference season with consecutive wins over Penn State (home) and Iowa (road), but Tubby Smith’s squad is just 2-4 SU and 1-5 ATS since then (0-3 SU and ATS on the road). The only spread-cover in this stretch came in a 73-62 win over Ohio State as a four-point favorite on Jan. 9.
Ohio State won its first Big Ten road game of the season Wednesday, rallying past Iowa 65-57 but coming up short as a 10½-point chalk. The Buckeyes are 5-2 in their last seven games (5-1 in conference), but they’ve followed up a 4-1 ATS run by failing to cash in their last two. Thad Matta’s team is 12-0 at Value City Arena (8-4 ATS), averaging 81.6 points per game on 53.1 percent shooting while holding visitors to 54.2 ppg (37.2 percent).
With the Gophers’ nine-point win over Ohio State earlier this month, the home team improved to 5-0 SU and ATS in the last five meetings and 7-1 SU (6-2 ATS) in the last eight. The Buckeyes have defeated Minnesota three straight times in Columbus (3-0 ATS). Finally in this rivalry, the favorite has covered in seven straight meetings.
In addition to failing to cash in their last four overall, Golden Gophers sport negative ATS trends of 5-16-1 on the road, 7-21 on Sunday and 1-5 against winning teams. Likewise, Ohio State is in pointspread slumps of 4-9 overall, 2-8 on Sunday, 2-6 after a SU victory and 2-6 after a non-cover.
Minnesota has topped the total in 10 of its last 14 games on Sunday, but is otherwise on “under” streaks of 5-1 overall (all in Big Ten action) and 4-0 against winning teams. Ohio State is on “under” runs of 5-1 at home, 10-4 in league play, 17-6 on Sunday, 9-2 after a non-cover and 4-0 versus opponents with a winning record.
Finally, the last four meetings in this series have stayed low, as have four of the last five clashes at Value City Arena.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OHIO STATE and UNDER
Maryland (14-5, 9-6 ATS) at Clemson (15-6, 9-9 ATS)
Two ACC rivals heading in opposite directions meet up at Littlejohn Coliseum in South Carolina, as struggling Clemson attempts to snap its three-game losing skid and end the Terrapins’ four-game winning streak.
Maryland has destroyed its last four opponents, knocking off ACC foes Boston College (73-57 as a two-point road underdog), North Carolina State (88-64 as a 9½-point home chalk) and Miami, Fla. (81-59 as an 8½-point home favorite) while also pounding Longwood (106-55 in a non-lined game). The Terps are 4-1 SU and 5-0 ATS in ACC play, with the only blemish being a two-point overtime loss at Wake Forest as a 3½-point underdog. After Tuesday’s rout of Miami, Maryland is now on a 6-0 ATS run.
The Tigers have followed up a three-game winning streak with three straight losses (all six games in conference). They sandwiched two close road losses – at Georgia Tech (66-64 as a one-point underdog) and at Boston College (75-69 as a two point favorite) – around last Saturday’s 60-47 home loss to Duke as a two-point pup. Clemson won 12 of 14 non-conference games to start the season but is just 3-4 SU and 2-5 ATS within the ACC.
Clemson has won two in a row (SU and ATS) and six of the last eight (SU and ATS) against Maryland, including last year’s 93-64 thumping as a 10½-point home favorite. The favorite is 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings, and the SU winner has cashed in each of the last 11 clashes.
Other than their pointspread struggles against Clemson, the Terps are on a plethora of positive ATS runs, including 6-0 overall, 8-0 in ACC play dating to last season, 4-0 on the road, 5-2 on Sunday and 5-0 versus winning teams. Meanwhile, the Tigers had cashed in six straight home games prior to Saturday’s blowout loss to Duke, and they’re in ATS funks of 0-4 overall (all in conference, all against winning teams) and 2-8 after a non-cover.
These teams have topped the total in seven of their last eight meetings overall, including the last four in a row at Littlejohn Coliseum. Also, Maryland carries “over” trends of 9-3 overall, 4-1 on the highway and 5-1 against teams with a winning record, while the Tigers have topped the total seven of their last eight versus opponents with a winning record. On the flip side, Clemson is on “under” runs of 9-3 overall, 19-7-2 at home, 4-0 on Sunday and 5-2 against ACC foes.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER
Tips and Trends
Florida Gators at Tennessee Volunteers
Gators: Florida has won 4 consecutive games SU in route to a 15-5 SU season long record. The Gators are certainly looking for revenge today, as they've lost their past 5 meetings SU against Tennessee. The Gators are 3-1 SU and 2-1 ATS on the road this season. Florida is 3-3 ATS as the listed underdog this season. Florida has scored more than 70 PTS in 5 of their past 6 games. G Kenny Boynton leads the Gators in scoring with 15 PPG this season. 4 other Gators average double digits as well, including F Alex Tyus. Tyus has been a revelation this year, averaging 12.5 PPG while shooting better than 52% from the field. Boynton and G Erving Walker combine to make nearly 4.5 three pointers per game for the Gators. A major reason for the Gators recent success is their defensive intensity. The Gators have held their past 4 opponents to an average of 62.8 PPG.
Gators are 4-1 ATS last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Under is 13-4 last 17 overall.
Key Injuries - C Brian Williams (disciplinary) is out.
G Tyler Smith (disciplinary) is out.
PROJECTED SCORE: 70 (Side of the Day)
Volunteers (-8, O/U 141): Tennessee has lost their past 2 games SU, both as -6.5 favorites in conference play. The Volunteers haven't lost 3 consecutive league games in over 5 years. Tennessee is 15-4 SU on the season, which has earned them a #14 national ranking. The Volunteers are 10-1 SU and 4-4 ATS at home this season. Tennessee has played 2 games at home this season as a single digit favorite, going 0-2 both SU and ATS this season. The Volunteers average nearly 79 PPG on the season, but have been held under their season average in their past 4 games. Tennessee has struggled offensively because of their shooting woes, as they have only shot 40% from the field in their past 4 contests. 3 Volunteers average double figures in PTS, led by G Scotty Hopson's 13.8 PPG this season. Hopson has shot better than 50$ from the field for the entire season. Defensively, Tennessee has allowed over 80 PPG their past 2 games.
Volunteers are 1-5 ATS last 6 games following a SU loss.
Under is 15-5 last 20 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Key Injuries - F Kenny Kadji (back) is out.
F Adam Allen (leg) is out.
PROJECTED SCORE: 71
California Golden Bears at Arizona Wildcats
Golden Bears (-2, O/U 149): The quest for a Pac-10 championship enters Arizona today, as California will be looking to extend their Pac-10 league lead. Last year, Cal won in Arizona SU for the first time since 1995, winning 83-77. Cal is 14-6 SU overall and 6-2 SU in league play this season. The Golden Bears are only 3-5 both SU and ATS this season, with each SU result matching each ATS result away from home this season. California is a 4 man show on offense, as nearly all of their offensive output comes from their 4 stars. Guards Jerome Randle and Patrick Christopher combine to average 35.5 PPG this season, with each player a mirror image of each other. Both players shoot exactly 46.1% from the field this season, with each player making exactly 6.2 field goals per game. Cal has scored at least 75 PTS in 7 of their past 10 games.
Golden Bears are 9-2-1 ATS last 12 games as a road favorite.
Over is 13-4 last 17 vs. a team with a winning SU record.
Key Injuries - C Markhuri Sanders-Frison (back) is questionable.
F Harper Kamp (knee) is out.
PROJECTED SCORE: 78 (OVER - Total of the Day)
Wildcats: Arizona is slowly making strides to their program in the post Lute Olson era. Arizona has won their past 3 games SU, 2 of which came as the listed underdog. Arizona is 11-9 SU and 10-8-1 ATS for the season. Arizona is 7-3 SU and 4-4-1 ATS at home this season. The Wildcats are 1-1 both SU and ATS this season as the listed home underdog. Overall, Arizona is 6-5 ATS as the listed underdog regardless of where the game is played. 4 different Wildcats average double digits in PTS this season, with F Derrick Williams leading the way with his 16 PPG. Williams is very efficient offensively, as he shoots 58% from the field, and also leads the team with 7.2 RPG this season. Arizona is making great strides on defense this year, as they've held 7 of their past 8 opponents to 70 PTS or fewer. Arizona can move into a tie for 1st place in league play with a win tonight.
Wildcats are 5-1 ATS last 6 games as an underdog.
Over is 12-2 last 14 vs. a team with a winning SU record.
Key Injuries - None.
PROJECTED SCORE: 77
NCAAB News and Notes
Sunday, January 31
Information on the best of Sunday's college basketball games.
Ohio State lost 73-62 at Minnesota Jan 9; Gophers outscored Ohio St. 22-7 on foul line, made 11-23 from arc. Buckeyes won four games in row since, allowing 57.5 ppg- they're 3-0 as Big 11 home favorite, winning home games by 25-9-20 points. Minnesota lost three of last four games; they're 1-3 on Big 11 road, losing away games by 19-7-3 points.
Miami lost 81-66 in Blacksburg Jan 13, shooting 34% from floor, 6-27 from arc (was 50-23 at half); Hurricanes lost last four games, allowing an average of 78.5 ppg- their only ACC win is by a point vs Wake Forest. Virginia Tech won three of last four games; they're 1-2 on road in ACC, winning in OT at Virginia, losing by 14 at Carolina, 5 at Florida State.
South Florida won its last two games, both in OT, first consecutive Ws in Big East games in program history- they covered last four overall, are 3-1 vs spread at home, beating Rutgers/Seton Hall in last two home tilts. Pitt lost two of last three games after 5-0 start in Big East, scoring 63.3 ppg after scoring 74 ppg in first five. Pitt is 2-1 as Big East favorite.
Florida won its last four games; they're 0-2 as SEC underdog, losing by 8 at Vanderbilt, 12 to Kentucky. Tennessee lost its last two games; they're 1-3 vs spread in last four games as favorite. Vols are 1-2 as SEC favorite at home, beating Auburn by 26, Ole Miss by 2, but loss to Vandy by 9. Gators lost last four visits to Knoxville by 4-10-18-16 points.
Florida won its last four games; they're 0-2 as SEC underdog, losing by 8 at Vanderbilt, 12 to Kentucky. Tennessee lost its last two games; they're 1-3 vs spread in last four games as favorite. Vols are 1-2 as SEC favorite at home, beating Auburn by 26, Ole Miss by 2, but loss to Vandy by 9. Gators lost last four visits to Knoxville by 4-10-18-16 points.
Wisc-Milwaukee lost 80-67 at Butler Jan 2, making just 4-16 from arc, getting outscored 23-11 at charity stripe. Panthers won three of last four games after 2-4 Horizon start; they're 3-2 at home in Horizon, losing by 5 to Loyola, 16 to Detroit- they're 3-0 vs spread as a Horizon underdog. Butler is 10-0 in Horizon, winning road games by 12-2-1-29 points.
Evansville lost 69-55 at Indiana State Jan 10, making 7-14 from arc but just 33.9% from floor overall; Aces are 0-10 in MVC, losing all five of their home games by 7+ points. Road team is 8-2 vs spread in its league games- Aces are 0-5 vs spread at home. Sycamores lost four of last five games; they're 1-4 on Valley road, with only win by 14 at Drake.
Arizona is 7-1 vs spread in Pac-10 games, covering last five; they've won last two home games by 17-8 points. Wildcats are 6-0 vs spread as a dog in league games. Cal Bears won last three games by 32-4-8 points; they are 2-1 on Pac-10 road, losing by 15 at Washington, winning at Arizona State by 8, Washington State by 5. Cal is 3-3 as a Pac-10 favorite.
Duquesne is 1-5 in A-14 games, with only win over St Bonaventure by a point; they're 0-2 as A-14 favorite. St Joe's is 0-3 on A-14 road, losing at Temple by 27, URI by 27, St Bonaventure by 3. Hawks are 4-1 in last five games vs Duquesne, beating Dukes 99-98 in OT LY, after losing at Duquesne 102-88 in '08. Favorite is 4-2 vs spread in series games.
Maryland is 4-1 in ACC, 5-0 vs spread, with only loss by hoop in OT at Wake Forest; Terps are scoring 80.4 ppg in ACC games, making 49% from arc- they won last three games by 16-24-22 points. Clemson lost its last three games, by 2-13-6 points, scoring just 60 ppg- their wins in ACC are by 16-19-3. Favorite covered four of last five series games.
North Carolina won its last six games vs Virginia but Cavaliers covered four of last five; Virginia lost its last five visits to Chapel Hill by 19-24-45-10-15 points. Tar Heels are 2-3 in ACC, with both wins by 14; they are 2-2 as ACC favorite. Virginia lost last two games by 12-5 after 3-0 start in ACC; they're 1-1 on ACC road, winning at State, losing at Wake.
Southern Illinois lost six of last eight games; five of their last six games were decided by five or less points- they lost three of last four at home, with only win by point in OT vs Illinois State. Wichita lost last two on road, at Creighton by 1, Drake by 14- they're 7-3 in Valley, Salukis 4-6. Salukis won four in row and eight of last nine games against Wichita.
St Peter's lost 76-53 at Manhattan Jan 8, making 37.8% while Peacocks made 60% from floor; Jaspers lost six in row since that game, with four losses by three or less points. Manhattan is 4-1 vs spread as road dog in MAAC games; they're 1-5 on MAAC road, losing by 24-6-3-15-3 pts. St Peter's won three of last four at home, winning by 12-4-5 points.
Loyola lost 77-57 at Niagara Dec 6, making 33% from floor; Loyola was 13-30 from arc. Niagara lost at rival Canisius Friday, its sixth loss in last seven games; they're 0-4 vs spread on MAAC road, losing away games by 18-4-17-3 points. Loyola lost three of last four at home; they're 3-5 vs spread as MAAC underdog and are 2-3 SU at home in MAAC.