(24) Minnesota (3-0, 1-1 ATS) vs. (11) Butler (3-0, 1-2 ATS)
(at Anaheim, Calif.)
Butler tries to knock off its second Big Ten opponent this season when it faces the Golden Gophers in a clash of unbeaten ranked opponents in the opening round of the 76 Classic in Anaheim.
Minnesota has yet to be tested this year, pounding out home wins over inferior opponents Tennessee Tech (87-50), Stephen F. Austin (82-42) and Utah Valley State (76-51). The Gophers are off to a strong start for the second consecutive year, as they won their first 12 games last season and began 16-1 before fading down the stretch, losing 10 of their final 16 contests.
The Bulldogs followed up an impressive 67-54 win at Northwestern as a 4 ½-point road chalk by barely squeaking past Evansville on Saturday, holding on 64-60 but falling way short as a 12½-point road favorite. Butler is 7-2 SU in its last nine games going back to last season.
Both teams play tremendous defense, as Minnesota has given up just 47.7 points per game on 34 percent shooting, while the Bulldogs have limited their first three opponents to 58.7 ppg on 42.1 percent shooting. Dating to last year, the Gophers have allowed more than 64 points just five times in their last 17 games, and Butler has limited 19 of its last 22 opponents – including 10 of the last 11 – to 63 points or fewer, with 13 of those 19 scoring less than 60 points.
Minnesota went 8-2-1 ATS in its first 11 lined contests last year, but since then Tubby Smith’s squad is mired in a 5-13 ATS funk. Additionally, the Golden Gophers are on pointspread slides of 3-9 at neutral sites, 1-4 on Thursday, 3-8 against opponents with a winning record and 0-6 after a SU win, but they are 5-2-1 ATS in their last eight non-conference tilts.
With the win and cover at Northwestern, Butler is 6-1 SU in its last seven against Big Ten opponents, going 4-0-1 ATS in its last five, and the Bulldogs have also covered in 36 of their last 52 non-conference games and five of seven on Thursday. But they’re 1-6 ATS in their last seven overall and 0-4 ATS in their last four at neutral sites.
The under is 5-2 in the Gophers’ last seven at neutral sites and 4-0 in Butler’s last four against the Big Ten. However, the over is 5-2 in Minnesota’s last seven on Thursday, and the Bulldogs carry “over” trends of 9-4 overall, 4-1 in non-conference play, 7-1 at neutral sites and 5-0 on Thursday.
The winner of this contest will face either UCLA or Portland in Friday’s semifinals.
ATS ADVANTAGE: BUTLER
NCAAB News and Notes
Thursday, November 26
Information on Thursday's college hoop games........
Michigan beat up on two stiffs so far, take big step up in competition in Creighton; Wolverines have four starters back from 21-14 team (9-9 in Big 11). Creighton has three starters back from 27-8 team (14-4 MVC); they lost by 10 at Dayton, they won next two games, by 25-15 points. Big 11 favorites are 11-4 vs spread. MVC underdogs are 6-7.
Marquette is 4-0 against teams so bad there weren't spreads on any of the four games; Eagles lost four starters (three guards) from LY's 25-10 team and the freshman expected to play PG is out for year. Xavier lost its top three scorers from LY and also lost its coach- they're 3-0 against stiff teams, scoring 96.3 ppg. A-14 favorites are 12-6 against the spread.
Alabama has four starters back fron 18-14 team (7-9 in SEC) but Grant is new coach and there is always adjustment period there. Bama lost at home to Cornell 71-67, then beat Providence by 9. Baylor lost three of starters from 24-15 team (5-11 in Big 12); they're 4-0 vs cupcake foes. SEC teams are 6-11 vs spread away from home. Big 12 clubs are 13-8.
Florida State lost at Florida by 16 Tuesday, its first loss after three wins by average of 35 points vs lousy teams. Iona is 3-0 vs stiffs; Gaels have four starters back from 12-19 team. FSU has three starters back from a 25-10 team (10-6 in ACC). ACC favorites are 10-6 away from home. MAAC underdogs are 5-4 against the spread.
West Virginia is Final Four sleeper, with four starters back from 23-12 team (10-8 in Big East); star F Ebanks is expected to play for first time this season. WVa is 2-0 with wins over stiffs by 23-19 pts. Long Beach State has four starters back from LY's 15-15 team (10-6 in Big West). Big West underdogs are 10-8 against the spread.
Clemson crushed its first four foes, but none of them are good; they've got two starters back from 23-9 team (9-7 in ACC). ACC favorites have covered 17-9 vs spread, 10-6 away from home. Texas A&M is 3-0, with wins by 12 at SMU, 19 vs Samford. Aggies have three starters back from LY's 24-10 team (9-7 in Big 12). Big 12 underdogs are 2-1.
Minnesota has had off-court/eligibilty issues, but they still crushed first three opponents by 37-40-25 points; Gophers have all five starters back from 22-11 team (9-9 in Big 11). Butler also has all its starters back from 26-6 team (15-3 in Horizon)- they shot 28% in last game, a 64-60 win at Evansville (-12).
UCLA has two seniors, no starters back from LY; they lost at home to Fullerton State, were tied at half with Bakersfield- they're struggling, are facing veteran Portland team (19-15 LY, 9-5 in WCC) that has senior Gs and is picked #2 or 3 in WCC. Pilots beat Oregon of Pac-10 88-81 last game, which should give them confidence here.
Creighton Bluejays vs. Michigan Wolverines
The Creighton Bluejays and the Michigan Wolverines will both be trying to pick up a win on Thursday when they battle at Wide World of Sports Complex.
Michigan walked over Houston Baptist with a 77-55 win at the Crisler Arena Friday night.
Oddsmakers did not set odds for this matchup.
Current streak:
Creighton has won 2 straight games.
Michigan has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Creighton: 2-1 SU, 1-1 ATS
Michigan: 2-0 SU, 0-0 ATS
Creighton most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 8-2
Before playing Nebraska are 5-5
After playing Arkansas-Little Rock are 1-2
After a win are 8-2
Michigan most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 6-4
Before playing Boston College are 0-3
After a win are 3-7
A few trends to consider:
Creighton' is 14-3 SU in its last 17 games
Michigan' is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
Next up:
Creighton home to Nebraska, Sunday, December 6
Michigan home to Boston College, Wednesday, December 2
West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Long Beach State 49ers
The West Virginia Mountaineers and the Long Beach State 49ers will both be trying to pick up a win on Thursday when they battle at Anaheim Convention Center.
John Flowers dropped 13 points, as West Virginia got past The Citadel 69-50 on Tuesday night.
West Virginia couldn't cover as 24-point home favorites, while no total was set by oddsmakers for the matchup.
Current streak:
West Virginia has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
West Virginia: 2-0 SU, 0-2 ATS
Long Beach State: 3-1 SU, 2-1 ATS
West Virginia most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 3-7
Before playing Duquesne are 9-1
After playing The Citadel are 1-0
After a win are 5-5
Long Beach State most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 6-4
After playing Wisc-Green Bay are 1-0
After a win are 3-7
A few trends to consider:
West Virginia' is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games
West Virginia' is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Next up:
West Virginia home to Duquesne, Wednesday, December 9
Long Beach State at Texas, Monday, December 7
Marquette Golden Eagles vs. Xavier Musketeers
The fans at Wide World of Sports Complex will be treated to a game between the Marquette Golden Eagles and the Xavier Musketeers when they take their seats on Thursday.
Current streak:
Marquette has won 4 straight games.
Xavier has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
Marquette: 4-0 SU, 0-0 ATS
Xavier: 3-0 SU, 2-0 ATS
Marquette most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 6-4
Before playing North Carolina State are 1-0
After playing South Dakota are 1-0
After a win are 6-4
Xavier most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 6-4
Before playing Kent State are 2-1
After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
Marquette' is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Xavier' is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Next up:
Marquette home to North Carolina State, Saturday, December 5
Xavier home to Kent State, Friday, December 4
Texas A&M Aggies vs. Clemson Tigers
The Texas A&M Aggies and the Clemson Tigers will both be gunning for a victory on Thursday when they meet at Anaheim Convention Center.
Donald Sloan led the way with 22 points on Friday night as Texas A&M got past Samford in an 88-49 victory.
The Aggies managed to cover the 14.5-point spread in that contest.
Current streak:
Texas A&M has won 3 straight games.
Clemson has won 4 straight games.
Team records:
Texas A&M: 3-0 SU, 2-0 ATS
Clemson: 4-0 SU, 2-0 ATS
Texas A&M most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 5-5
Before playing Prairie View A&M are 3-0
After a win are 7-3
Clemson most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 5-4
Before playing Illinois are 3-0
After playing Winthrop are 3-2
After a win are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
Texas A&M' is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games
Clemson' is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Clemson' is 18-5 SU in its last 23 games at home
Next up:
Texas A&M home to Prairie View A&M, Wednesday, December 2
Clemson home to Illinois, Wednesday, December 2
Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Baylor Bears
The Alabama Crimson Tide and the Baylor Bears will both be trying to pick up a win on Thursday when they battle at Wide World of Sports Complex.
Mikhail Torrance poured in 25 points on Friday night as Alabama picked up an 84-75 win over Providence.
The Tide managed to cover the 6-point spread posted for that contest.
Current streak:
Alabama has won 2 straight games.
Baylor has won 4 straight games.
Team records:
Alabama: 2-1 SU, 1-1 ATS
Baylor: 4-0 SU, 0-0 ATS
Alabama most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 8-2
After playing Providence are 2-0
After a win are 4-6
Baylor most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 2-5
Before playing Arizona State are 1-0
After playing Hardin Simmons are 3-1
After a win are 8-2
A few trends to consider:
Alabama' is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games
Baylor' is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Baylor' is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games
Next up:
Alabama home to North Florida, Wednesday, December 2
Baylor at Arizona State, Thursday, December 3
Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Butler Bulldogs
The fans at Anaheim Convention Center will be treated to a game between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Butler Bulldogs when they take their seats on Thursday.
Rodney Williams led the way with 17 points on Thursday night as Minnesota cruised to a 76-51 win over Utah Valley.
The Gophers just failed to cover the 25.5-point spread in that contest.
Shelvin Mack had 17 points on Saturday night as Butler picked up a 64-60 win over Evansville.
The Bulldogs failed to cover the 12.5-point spread posted for that contest.
Current streak:
Minnesota has won 3 straight games.
Butler has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
Minnesota: 3-0 SU, 1-1 ATS
Butler: 3-0 SU, 1-2 ATS
Minnesota most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 4-6
After a win are 4-6
Butler most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 8-1
Before playing Ball State are 8-2
After playing Evansville are 7-3
After a win are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
Minnesota' is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Butler' is 21-2 SU in its last 23 games at home
Butler' is 20-5 SU in its last 25 games
Butler' is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Butler' is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games
Next up:
Minnesota at Miami, Wednesday, December 2
Butler at Ball State, Wednesday, December 2
Florida State Seminoles vs. Iona Gaels
The Florida State Seminoles and the Iona Gaels will both be gunning for a victory on Thursday when they meet at Wide World of Sports Complex.
Derwin Kitchen scored 15 points for Florida State in its 68-52 loss to Florida on Tuesday night.
Florida covered as 2.5-point home favorites, while no total was set by sportsbooks for the game.
Current streak:
Iona has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
Florida State: 3-1 SU, 0-1 ATS
Iona: 3-0 SU, 0-0 ATS
Florida State most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 4-6
Before playing Ohio State are 0-1
After playing Florida are 8-2
After a loss are 8-2
Iona most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 5-4
Before playing Saint Peter's are 6-4
After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
Florida State' is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games
Next up:
Florida State at Ohio State, Wednesday, December 2
Iona home to Saint Peter's, Friday, December 4
Portland Pilots vs. UCLA Bruins
The Portland Pilots and the UCLA Bruins will both be gunning for a victory on Thursday when they meet at Anaheim Convention Center.
Nik Raivio poured in 24 points on Saturday night as Portland grabbed an 88-81 win over Oregon.
The Pilots won that contest as a pick'em.
Drew Gordon scored 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds, as UCLA defeated Pepperdine 71-52 on Monday night.
UCLA covered as 15.5-point home favorites, while no total was listed by oddsmakers for the matchup.
Current streak:
Portland has won 3 straight games.
UCLA has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Portland: 3-0 SU, 2-0 ATS
UCLA: 2-1 SU, 1-1 ATS
Portland most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 0-8
Before playing Portland State are 4-6
After playing Oregon are 6-4
After a win are 6-4
UCLA most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 8-1
Before playing Kansas are 3-2
After playing Pepperdine are 3-0
After a win are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
Portland' is 13-6 SU in its last 19 games
UCLA' is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games
Next up:
Portland home to Portland State, Wednesday, December 2
UCLA home to Kansas, Sunday, December 6
Houston Cougars vs. Oklahoma Sooners
The fans at Sullivan Arena will be treated to a game between the Houston Cougars and the Oklahoma Sooners when they take their seats on Thursday.
Aubrey Coleman had a game-high 32 points in Houston's 112-99 loss to Nevada on Saturday night.
The Wolf Pack managed to cover the 2.5-point spread in that contest.
Current streak:
Oklahoma has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Houston: 1-1 SU, 0-1 ATS
Oklahoma: 2-2 SU, 0-3 ATS
Houston most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 3-7
After playing Nevada are 1-0
After a loss are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
Oklahoma' is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games
Next up:
Houston home to San Diego, Friday, November 27
Oklahoma home to Arkansas, Wednesday, December 2