Sunday Revenge
By Judd Hall
We’ve reached that point of the season where teams are desperately trying to impress the selection committee to make the NCAA Tournament. This Sunday also gives us a couple of high profile revenge spots as we prepare for the conference championship tourneys. Let’s take a look…
Villanova Wildcats at Syracuse Orange – 1:00 p.m. EST
--Syracuse (19-7 straight up, 10-12 against the spread) seems to find ways to get into a slump as the calendar gets ready to turn over to March. But on Valentine’s Day the Orange snapped a two-game losing streak by upending Georgetown in overtime as four-point favorites, 102-85. Although the ‘Cuse did its level best to cough up the win by giving up a 16-point lead in the final eight minutes of regulation. It’s Syracuse’s third win in its last nine games.
--Bettors that have backed the Orange were no doubt dry clicking their revolvers as they’ve gone just 2-6-1 ATS in their last nine tilts.
--Villanova (21-5 SU, 13-9 ATS) was looking for a bounce back win against the Scarlet Knights on Feb. 19. And the Wildcats got just that with an 82-72 decision over Rutgers. While ‘Nova got the victory, they failed to cover the 17-point spread…the second time they didn’t cover the number. The combined 154 points went well ‘over’ the closing total of 137. The ‘over’ is on a 5-0 run for the ‘Cats and 8-2 in their last 10 tilts.
--Syracuse will be looking for some mark of revenge in this game against the ‘Cats. Villanova crushed the Orange as a six-point home “chalk” on Feb. 7, 102-85. The Wildcats’ Dante Cunningham had a field day with 31 points and 10 rebounds in a winning effort.
--The Wildcats have enjoyed playing on two days off, going 8-3 SU and ATS when in this spot.
--The Orange will be coming into this fixture after a full week off. While some clubs would welcome that kind of rest, Syracuse is indifferent to the advantage as they’re just 4-3 SU and ATS when getting at least three days off.
--‘Nova has taken advantage of squads in this situation as they’re 5-2 SU and 4-3 ATS when its opponent is coming off at least three days of rest, while they’ve had just a couple nights off.
--Syracuse is 1-2 SU and ATS when the Wildcats come to the Carrier Dome recently.
--Las Vegas Sports Consultants have made the Orange three-point home favorites with a total of 158.
Michigan Wolverines at Iowa Hawkeyes – 5:05 p.m. EST
--It’s only taken John Beilein two years to get the Wolverines back into the mix for a berth in the “Big Dance.” Michigan (17-10 SU, 11-9-1 ATS) is coming off of a big 74-62 triumph over the Golden Gophers as a 3 ½-point home favorite on Feb. 19. It’s the Maize and Blue’s third win in their last five matches. But more important to the gambling public is the fact that they’ve gone 4-1 ATS in that time.
--Some experts have listed Michigan as program that will eek its way into the NCAA Tournament. But games against Purdue, at Wisconsin and at Minnesota make this Sunday’s tilt a must win for the Wolverines if they want to avoid making the NIT.
--Iowa (13-13 SU, 11-9 ATS) thought they were on the way to getting into March Madness after starting the season 10-3. As soon as Big Ten play started, they just fell apart. The Hawkeyes’ most recent setback came against Purdue as 5 ½-point home ‘dogs on Feb. 14, 49-45.
--While Iowa covered the spread, it is a bit misleading as the Boilermakers were just getting Robbie Hummel back from a hairline fracture in his back. He played 24 minutes, but had just two points and an assist. The Hawkeyes are now 1-6 SU and 4-3 TS in their last seven games in league play.
--These two schools faced off on Jan. 11. The Wolverines ended up winning that match as 7 ½-point home favorites, 64-49. Manny Harris led UM with 18 points eight boards and five helpers.
--The Hawkeyes may hold home court for this tilt, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s an advantage. Michigan is 4-1 SU and ATS in its last five games played at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The ‘under’ has cashed tickets in three straight meetings.
--Bettors should take note that Michigan is 2-5 SU and 1-6 when they are playing on two days rest. Yet we should keep an eye for rust from Iowa since they’re 3-6 SU and 2-5 ATS when coming off of a break of at least three days.
--LVSC has made Iowa a 1 ½-point home favorite.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Duke Blue Devils – 7:45 p.m. EST
--Wake Forest (20-4 SU, 12-8 ATS) looked like it was ready to take a tumble by losing three of its four games between Jan. 21 and Feb. 4. But the Demon Deacons have rebounded nicely with a 3-1 SU and ATS run recently. James Johnson had 24 points and 11 rebounds to help the Deacons beat Georgia Tech as 13 ½-point home faves, 87-69, last Wednesday.
--The Blue Devils had to head to New York City to give themselves a chance to stop the nasty slide they were on by taking on St. John’s. Duke (21-5 SU, 11-13-1 ATS) knocked down the Red Storm, 76-69, on Feb. 19. While it was much needed victory, Mike Krzyzewski’s squad failed to cover the number as a 14-point road favorite. It’s the fifth straight game for Duke that they failed to cover the spread.
--Even though Duke won last Thursday, it wasn’t against ACC talent. The Blue Devils have gone 1-3 SU and 0-4 ATS in their last four matches in league play. If bettors can take heart in anything, it’s the fact that the Dukies have seen the ‘over’ go on a 4-0 run.
--The last time these two squads met was in Winston-Salem on Jan. 28. Duke came into the contest ranked No. 1 in the land and installed as a slight 1 ½-point road “chalk” with the total closing at 149. Wake ended up using a rare defensive lapse by the Devils to let Johnson score with 0.8 seconds left in regulation to win 70-68. It was this game that started the Blue Devils on their current ACC slide.
--Coach K will be happy to get his squad back to Cameron Indoor Stadium as they’re 14-1 SU this season. As far as the gambling public is concerned, Duke is a coin flip at home with a 6-7-1 record ATS.
--The Demon Deacons are no slouch on the road this season with a 7-3 SU and 4-6 ATS. However, Wake Forest has lost its last three matches away from home, both SU and ATS. The ‘over’ is 2-1 in those last three road scuffles for the Deacs.
--Duke is 5-0 SU and ATS when the Deacons made the short trip to Durham. The ‘over’ is 3-2 during that time frame.
--Most betting shops have installed the Blue Devils as six-point home favorites with a total of 151.
vegasinsider.com
WISCONSIN (17 - 9) at MICHIGAN ST (20 - 5)
Top Trends for this game.
MICHIGAN ST is 27-6 ATS (+20.4 Units) as a home favorite of 6.5 to 9 points since 1997.
MICHIGAN ST is 55-36 ATS (+15.4 Units) in home games after a conference game since 1997.
WISCONSIN is 21-9 ATS (+11.1 Units) in road games over the last 3 seasons.
WISCONSIN is 21-9 ATS (+11.1 Units) in road lined games over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
MICHIGAN ST is 3-2 against the spread versus WISCONSIN over the last 3 seasons
WISCONSIN is 4-1 straight up against MICHIGAN ST over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
MASSACHUSETTS (9 - 15) at ST JOSEPHS (14 - 11)
Top Trends for this game.
MASSACHUSETTS is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) in road games off a loss against a conference rival over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
ST JOSEPHS is 2-2 against the spread versus MASSACHUSETTS over the last 3 seasons
ST JOSEPHS is 3-1 straight up against MASSACHUSETTS over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
VILLANOVA (21 - 5) at SYRACUSE (19 - 7)
Top Trends for this game.
VILLANOVA is 3-11 ATS (-9.1 Units) after scoring 80 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
VILLANOVA is 56-36 ATS (+16.4 Units) in February games since 1997.
VILLANOVA is 7-1 ATS (+5.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games this season.
SYRACUSE is 27-44 ATS (-21.4 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games since 1997.
SYRACUSE is 2-10 ATS (-9.0 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game after 15+ games over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
SYRACUSE is 3-3 against the spread versus VILLANOVA over the last 3 seasons
VILLANOVA is 4-2 straight up against SYRACUSE over the last 3 seasons
3 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
CLEMSON (21 - 4) at GEORGIA TECH (10 - 15)
Top Trends for this game.
CLEMSON is 11-28 ATS (-19.8 Units) in road games in February games since 1997.
CLEMSON is 2-11 ATS (-10.1 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a losing record after 15 or more games since 1997.
GEORGIA TECH is 25-12 ATS (+11.8 Units) after 3 or more consecutive losses since 1997.
GEORGIA TECH is 7-14 ATS (-8.4 Units) in all games this season.
GEORGIA TECH is 7-14 ATS (-8.4 Units) in all lined games this season.
GEORGIA TECH is 2-8 ATS (-6.8 Units) off a loss against a conference rival this season.
GEORGIA TECH is 6-17 ATS (-12.7 Units) after allowing 80 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
GEORGIA TECH is 5-13 ATS (-9.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
GEORGIA TECH is 3-2 against the spread versus CLEMSON over the last 3 seasons
CLEMSON is 3-2 straight up against GEORGIA TECH over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
GEORGE WASHINGTON (8 - 15) at XAVIER (21 - 5)
Top Trends for this game.
GEORGE WASHINGTON is 9-19 ATS (-11.9 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
GEORGE WASHINGTON is 2-1 against the spread versus XAVIER over the last 3 seasons
XAVIER is 3-0 straight up against GEORGE WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
ST BONAVENTURE (13 - 12) at TEMPLE (16 - 9)
Top Trends for this game.
TEMPLE is 15-8 ATS (+6.2 Units) in all games this season.
TEMPLE is 15-8 ATS (+6.2 Units) in all lined games this season.
TEMPLE is 22-6 ATS (+15.4 Units) against conference opponents over the last 2 seasons.
TEMPLE is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) in home games in February games over the last 3 seasons.
TEMPLE is 20-8 ATS (+11.2 Units) after a conference game over the last 2 seasons.
TEMPLE is 24-10 ATS (+13.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
ST BONAVENTURE is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in road games this season.
ST BONAVENTURE is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in road lined games this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
TEMPLE is 2-0 against the spread versus ST BONAVENTURE over the last 3 seasons
TEMPLE is 2-0 straight up against ST BONAVENTURE over the last 3 seasons
2 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
DUQUESNE (15 - 9) at LASALLE (14 - 11)
Top Trends for this game.
LASALLE is 25-42 ATS (-21.2 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
LASALLE is 3-2 against the spread versus DUQUESNE over the last 3 seasons
LASALLE is 3-2 straight up against DUQUESNE over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
NORTHWESTERN (14 - 10) at MINNESOTA (19 - 7)
Top Trends for this game.
NORTHWESTERN is 29-13 ATS (+14.7 Units) in road games in February games since 1997.
MINNESOTA is 1-9 ATS (-8.9 Units) in home games revenging a road loss vs opponent over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 11-22 ATS (-13.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 3-3 against the spread versus NORTHWESTERN over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA is 4-2 straight up against NORTHWESTERN over the last 3 seasons
4 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
W VIRGINIA (18 - 8) at RUTGERS (10 - 16)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
RUTGERS is 1-0 against the spread versus W VIRGINIA over the last 3 seasons
W VIRGINIA is 2-0 straight up against RUTGERS over the last 3 seasons
2 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
MICHIGAN (17 - 10) at IOWA (13 - 13)
Top Trends for this game.
MICHIGAN is 17-29 ATS (-14.9 Units) as an underdog over the last 3 seasons.
MICHIGAN is 50-72 ATS (-29.2 Units) in road games since 1997.
MICHIGAN is 50-72 ATS (-29.2 Units) in road lined games since 1997.
MICHIGAN is 3-11 ATS (-9.1 Units) in road games off a win against a conference rival over the last 3 seasons.
IOWA is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games over the last 3 seasons.
IOWA is 76-105 ATS (-39.5 Units) as a favorite since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
MICHIGAN is 3-2 against the spread versus IOWA over the last 3 seasons
MICHIGAN is 3-2 straight up against IOWA over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
SETON HALL (14 - 11) at ST JOHNS (12 - 14)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
SETON HALL is 2-1 against the spread versus ST JOHNS over the last 3 seasons
SETON HALL is 2-1 straight up against ST JOHNS over the last 3 seasons
2 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
WAKE FOREST (20 - 4) at DUKE (21 - 5)
Top Trends for this game.
WAKE FOREST is 44-66 ATS (-28.6 Units) in road games against conference opponents since 1997.
WAKE FOREST is 43-64 ATS (-27.4 Units) in road games after a conference game since 1997.
WAKE FOREST is 69-95 ATS (-35.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games since 1997.
WAKE FOREST is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) after scoring 80 points or more this season.
WAKE FOREST is 23-12 ATS (+9.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
WAKE FOREST is 7-1 ATS (+5.9 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game this season.
DUKE is 6-15 ATS (-10.5 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game after 15+ games over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
WAKE FOREST is 2-1 against the spread versus DUKE over the last 3 seasons
WAKE FOREST is 2-1 straight up against DUKE over the last 3 seasons
2 of 3 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
NEW ORLEANS (11 - 16) at LA-LAFAYETTE (9 - 17)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
LA-LAFAYETTE is 4-1 against the spread versus NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
LA-LAFAYETTE is 3-2 straight up against NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
ARIZONA (18 - 8) at ARIZONA ST (20 - 5)
Top Trends for this game.
ARIZONA is 4-14 ATS (-11.4 Units) when playing with 7 or more days rest since 1997.
ARIZONA ST is 14-7 ATS (+6.3 Units) in all games this season.
ARIZONA ST is 14-7 ATS (+6.3 Units) in all lined games this season.
ARIZONA ST is 25-12 ATS (+11.8 Units) in home games after allowing 60 points or less since 1997.
ARIZONA is 44-26 ATS (+15.4 Units) as an underdog since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
ARIZONA ST is 4-1 against the spread versus ARIZONA over the last 3 seasons
ARIZONA ST is 3-2 straight up against ARIZONA over the last 3 seasons
5 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
CLEMSON vs. GEORGIA TECH
Clemson is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
Clemson is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games on the road
Georgia Tech is 9-4 ATS in its last 13 games when playing at home against Clemson
Georgia Tech is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Clemson
GEORGE WASHINGTON vs. XAVIER
George Washington is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
George Washington is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing Xavier
Xavier is 2-7 ATS in its last 9 games when playing at home against George Washington
Xavier is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against George Washington
ILLINOIS vs. OHIO STATE
Illinois is 2-5-1 ATS in its last 8 games
Illinois is 19-6 SU in its last 25 games
Ohio State is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Illinois
Ohio State is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Illinois
VILLANOVA vs. SYRACUSE
Villanova is 8-4 ATS in its last 12 games when playing Syracuse
Villanova is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Syracuse
Syracuse is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Syracuse is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home
DUQUESNE vs. LA SALLE
Duquesne is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Duquesne is 10-5 SU in its last 15 games
La Salle is 11-3 SU in its last 14 games when playing at home against Duquesne
The total has gone OVER in 5 of La Salle's last 6 games when playing at home against Duquesne
MASSACHUSETTS vs. SAINT JOSEPH'S
Massachusetts is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Massachusetts's last 6 games
Saint Joseph's is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Massachusetts
Saint Joseph's is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Massachusetts
ST. BONAVENTURE vs. TEMPLE
St. Bonaventure is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
St. Bonaventure is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games
Temple is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing St. Bonaventure
Temple is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing St. Bonaventure
WEST VIRGINIA vs. RUTGERS
West Virginia is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
West Virginia is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Rutgers is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Rutgers's last 6 games at home
WISCONSIN vs. MICHIGAN STATE
Wisconsin is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Michigan State
Wisconsin is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Michigan State
Michigan State is 21-4 SU in its last 25 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Michigan State's last 7 games at home
MICHIGAN vs. IOWA
Michigan is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Iowa
Michigan is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Iowa
Iowa is 5-11 ATS in its last 16 games when playing Michigan
Iowa is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games
SETON HALL vs. ST. JOHN'S
Seton Hall is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
Seton Hall is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
St. John's is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing Seton Hall
St. John's is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Seton Hall
NORTHWESTERN vs. MINNESOTA
Northwestern is 8-3 ATS in its last 11 games when playing Minnesota
Northwestern is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Minnesota
Minnesota is 14-2 SU in its last 16 games at home
Minnesota is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games
WAKE FOREST vs. DUKE
Wake Forest is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Duke
Wake Forest is 5-20 SU in its last 25 games when playing Duke
Duke is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Wake Forest
Duke is 20-5 SU in its last 25 games when playing Wake Forest
NEW ORLEANS vs. LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE
New Orleans is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
New Orleans is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
Louisiana-Lafayette is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing New Orleans
Louisiana-Lafayette is 21-4 SU in its last 25 games when playing New Orleans
ARIZONA vs. ARIZONA STATE
Arizona is 3-8 ATS in its last 11 games on the road
Arizona is 2-9 SU in its last 11 games on the road
Arizona State is 2-11 SU in its last 13 games when playing at home against Arizona
Arizona State is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
NCAAB Today
Notes on today's games.
Streaky Wisconsin has gone 3W-6L-5W in Big 11; they're 1-2 as Big 11 road dog, losing away games by 13-4-7-3 pts. Michigan State won three of last four games; they're 2-4 as Big 11 home favorite, with home wins by 9-6-29-28 points- they lost to Northwestern, Penn State at home. Home team won last seven games in this series.
St Joe's (+2.5) won 68-64 at UMass two weeks ago, holding UMass to 38.1% from floor, but Hawks lost last three games, by 2-7-2 pts- they are 4-1 at home in A-14, 2-2 as home favorite, winning in Philly by 6-9-1-8 points. Minutemen lost three of last four games, are 1-2 as road dog, losing away games by 5-5-2-8 points.
Syracuse (+6) lost 102-85 at Villanova 15 days ago, as Wildcats led by 18 at half, shooting 54.5% for game. Villanova won seven of its last eight games- they're 1-2 as Big East home underdog, 3-3 SU on road, losing on Big East road by 7 at Marquette, 6 at UConn, 21 at West Va. Syracuse is 3-5 in its last eight games, but 4-2 as a Big East home favorite.
Georgia Tech (+12) lost 73-59 at Clemson Jan 25, getting outscored by 23-10 on foul line; Tech is 1-11 in ACC, losing last five games, by 4-1-5- 21-18 points- they're 4-4 as ACC home dog, 1-1 at home. Clemson split its last four games; they're 3-2 on ACC road, winning by 19-4-10 points they've covered all seven of their ACC wins this season.
George Washington is 4-1 as A-14 road underdog, losing road games by 5-4-10-8-9 points- they covered four of last five games overall, are 2-2 SU in last four games after 0-7 start in league. Xavier lost three of their last four games, but all three losses were on road- they're 5-1 as a home favorite in league play, winning by 26-20-22-2-9-35 points.
St Bonaventure is 3-2 as A-14 road underdog, losing last four road games by 12-16-7-28 points- they covered three of last four games, splitting its last four after a 2-6 start. Temple won its last four games, by 6-2-5-27 points; they're 4-0-1 as A-14 home favorite, winning home games by 7- 25-27-6-27 points. Bonnies lost last three trips here by 19-24-39 points.
Underdog won four of last five Duquesne-LaSalle games, with Duquesne winning three of last four visits here. Dukes lost three of last four overall are 2-3 on A-14 road, with losses by 1-4-4 points (1-2 as road underdog) Explorers are 1-3 as A-14 favorite, 1-2 at home; they're 2-3 at home in A-14 play, beating George Washington by 10, St Joe's by 7.
Minnesota lost four of last five games, needs to right ship to get into the NCAA's; they lost 74-65 (+1) at Northwestern Jan 18, as Wildcats shot 21-27 from foul line, Gophers 5-11. Minnesota is 2-2 as a home favorite in Big 11, winning home games by 9-20-23-8 points. Wildcats are 1-4 as Big 11 road underdog, losing away games by 4-29-9-5 points.
West Virginia lost its last three road games, but covered last four times it was favored; their two road wins are by 26 at Seton Hall. at Georgetown by 17- they covered six of their seven Big East wins. Rutgers lost four in a row but covered three of the four- they're 2-2 as road underdog in Big East games, losing at home by 6-5-16-19-5 points (they beat DePaul).
ESPN has Michigan as last team out of NCAAs this morning; they beat Iowa 64-49 at home (-7) Jan 11, holding Hawkeyes to 38.9% from floor and forcing 18 turnovers. Wolverines are 2-4 on Big 11 road, winning in OT at both Indiana, Northwestern. Iowa lost six of its last seven games; they're 3-3 SU at home in conference games.
St John's (+5) lost 91-81 at Seton Hall Feb 5 (was 45-29 at half); Storm lost last four games, all by 10+ points- they're 3-3 at home in conference games, though, beating Notre Dame, Rutgers, South Florida. Pirates are 9-2 vs spread in last 11 games; they're 2-4 on Big East road, winning at Rutgers, DePaul; they're 6-2 vs spread if spread is less than 10.
Duke (-1) lost 70-68 at Wake Forest Jan 28, loss that started current 3-4 skid; they shot only 33.3% in that game, 4-22 from arc. Blue Devils are 3-3 as ACC home favorite, winning home games by 25-17-41-25-3 pts. Deacons lost last three road games by 2-27-6 points; they're 2-4 in ACC if they allow 76+ points, 5-0 if they don't.
Louisiana-Lafayette (-1) lost 61-58 at New Orleans Jan 8; they were 4-7 on foul line, Privateers 26-37; both teams shot under 39% for the game. ULL lost five of last seven games, is 5-2 at home in Sun Belt, winning its last three at home by 2-17-3 points. UNO lost five of last seven games; they're 0-7 on Sun Belt road, losing by 6-15-10-11-3-10-10 points.
Arizona State (-2.5) won 53-47 in Tucson Jan 21, in game where teams both shot under 30%, yes 30% from floor; Wildcats are 7-0 since losing that game, but five of those seven games were at home- they're 1-3 as a Pac-10 road dog, losing away games by 14-16-1-23 points. Sun Devils won their last four games, all by 7+ points, allowing 53.8 ppg.
Tips and Trends
Wisconsin at #5 Michigan State
Wisconsin: The Badgers are playing great defense again, which is the main reason they have won five in a row following a six-game losing streak. They had surrendered 68.3 points per game on 50 percent shooting during their skid but have allowed an average of just 49.4 points on less than 42 percent shooting during their winning streak. Wisconsin has lost the last three meetings at Michigan State but won the last game between the teams last March 15 in Madison, 65-63.
Wisconsin is 14-6-1 ATS in its last 21 road games.
The UNDER is 4-1 in Wisconsin's last 5 games overall.
Key Injuries - NONE
PROJECTED SCORE: 59
Michigan State (-8.5, O/U 126): The Spartans will try to bounce back from a terrible performance in a 72-54 loss at Purdue on Tuesday. They shot a season-low 32.7 percent from the field and tied a season high with 22 turnovers. “I don’t feel good about a performance like this in a big-time game,” Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo said. "I was elated (at halftime) because we did not play well. Then, in the second half, I guess that was a meltdown on our part. Purdue created some turnovers, but some of that other stuff like dribbling it off our foot was borderline ridiculous.”
Home team is 7-2 ATS in the last 9 meetings.
The UNDER is 8-3 in Michigan State's last 11 home games.
Key Injuries - F Raymar Morgan (mononucleosis) has returned.
PROJECTED SCORE: 67