Thursday's CBB Tips
By Brian Edwards
Gamblers have plenty of opportunities to bring home a profit Thursday in college basketball. Syracuse and Georgetown will square off in Washington D.C., as both squad look to bounce back from surprising Valentine’s Day losses. Also in the Big East, Marquette hopes to pick up a key win when it takes on Pittsburgh.
In the SEC, Florida and Ole Miss are in dire need of victories to improve their sagging bubble profiles. The Gators will welcome Auburn to the O-Dome, while the Rebels will play host to Vandy.
Minnesota is more desperate than the pair of aforementioned SEC programs. The Gophers have to beat Wisconsin and then capture several more victories. Finally, Saint Mary’s can’t afford a bad loss when it hits the road in the WCC for a late-night televised affair against San Diego.
**Syracuse at Georgetown**
Las Vegas Sports Consultants opened Georgetown (18-6 straight up, 11-9 against the spread) as a two-point favorite.
Syracuse (24-2 SU, 15-7 ATS) is in bounce-back mode following Sunday’s 66-60 loss to Louisville as a 7 ½-point home favorite. The loss ended an 11-game winning streak for the Orange, who hadn’t tasted defeat since its Big East opener at home against Pitt back on Jan. 2. Wesley Johnson had 14 points and eight rebounds against the Cardinals, but he was a miserable 5-of-20 from the field.
Georgetown is coming off Sunday’s stunning 71-68 loss at Rutgers as a 10 ½-point favorite. The 139 combined points stayed just ‘under’ the 140-point total. Hoyas’ sophomore center Greg Monroe played all 40 minutes in the losing effort, producing 19 points, eight rebounds, six assists and four blocked shots.
Jim Boeheim’s squad has only been an underdog twice this season, winning outright in both instances. The ‘Cuse won 72-71 at West Va. as a five-point ‘dog and beat UNC 87-71 at Madison Square Garden in NYC as a 1 ½-point puppy.
Georgetown is 11-2 SU and 5-5 ATS at home this year.
The ‘under’ has cashed in six straight Syracuse games and nine of its last 10. For the year, the Orange have watched the ‘under’ go 12-6 overall.
The ‘over’ is 6-4 for Georgetown at home, 10-10 overall.
When these long-time Big East rivals met at the Carrier Dome on Jan. 25, the Hoyas raced out to a double-digit lead in the opening minutes. However, Syracuse rallied to take a five-point lead by halftime. Then the Orange pulled away in the second half to collect a 73-56 victory as a 5 ½-point home favorite. Andy Rautins paced the winners with 15 points, six assists, six steals and just one turnover. Austin Freeman had a game-high 23 points for the Hoyas in defeat.
Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Eastern on ESPN2.
**Wisconsin at Minnesota**
LVSC opened Minnesota (14-10 SU, 9-14 ATS) as a 2 ½-point favorite.
Tubby Smith’s team is in desperation mode in terms of its hopes to build a resume worthy of consideration for an at-large berth come Selection Sunday. Minnesota, with its 5-7 Big Ten record and RPI ranking of 81, probably needs to win five of its last six regular-season games to legitimately be in the conversation. Four of the Gophers’ last six games are at home.
Wisconsin (19-6 SU, 14-9 ATS) bounced back from a rare home loss to Illinois by spanking Indiana 83-55 Saturday as a 17 ½-point home ‘chalk.’ Senior guard Jason Bohannon erupted for a season-high 30 points, draining 7-of-11 attempts from 3-point range for the Badgers. Trevon Hughes added 16 points, six rebounds and three steals.
Minnesota has lost eight in a row ATS, including Sunday’s 77-74 overtime loss at Northwestern in a pick ‘em affair. Lawrence Westbrook scored a team-high 22 points in the losing effort.
Minnesota is 11-2 SU and 7-5 ATS at home this year. Meanwhile, Wisconsin is 4-2 versus the number in six Big Ten road assignments
The ‘over’ is 6-5 in Minnesota’s home games, 11-11 overall. The Gophers have seen the ‘over’ cash in three of their last four games.
The ‘under’ is on an incredible 13-3 run for the Badgers, who have watched the ‘under’ go 14-8 overall for the season.
ESPN will have television coverage at 9:00 p.m. Eastern.
**Pittsburgh at Marquette**
LVSC opened Marquette (16-8 SU, 12-6 ATS) as a 5 ½-point favorite.
Pitt (19-6 SU, 12-8-2 ATS) returns to the court for this spot following last Friday’s thrilling 98-95 win over West Virginia in triple overtime. Junior guard Brad Wanamaker led the Panthers to the outright victory as 2 ½-point home underdogs by scoring 24 points and dishing out 10 assists.
Marquette is an interesting case to consider for the Selection Committee. The Golden Eagles have a 7-5 Big East record and an RPI rating of 59. They haven’t been beaten by double digits all season and have lost five games by seven combined points. Marquette has lost by one three times – 57-56 to FSU in Orlando, 63-62 at West Va. and 51-50 at Depaul.
Buzz Williams’s team is 12-2 SU and 5-3 ATS at home. Meanwhile, Jamie Dixon’s squad is 4-1 versus the number in five road underdog situations.
Pitt has beaten Marquette in three of the last four head-to-head meetings both SU and ATS, including last year’s 90-75 home win as a 9 ½-point favorite in the regular-season finale.
The ‘over’ is 10-8 overall for Marquette, 4-4 in its home games. The ‘over’ is also 10-8 overall for the Panthers.
The ‘over’ is on a 7-2 run in the last nine head-to-head encounters between these schools.
ESPN2 will provide the telecast at 9:00 p.m. Eastern.
**B.E.’s Bonus Nuggets**
Florida will play host to Auburn on ESPN at 7:00 p.m. Eastern. LVSC opened the Gators as 11-point favorites. They have dropped back-to-back games (at South Carolina and vs. Xavier), making a victory mandatory for Billy Donovan’s team that’s trying to avoid a third straight trip to the NIT.
Bettors have a televised late-night option Thursday at 11:00 p.m. Eastern on ESPN2. Saint Mary’s will travel to San Diego to take on the Toreros as a heavy road favorite. LVSC opened the Gaels as seven-point ‘chalk.’
LVSC opened California as a seven-point favorite for Thursday’s game at Oregon St. Gamblers get a chance to back the Beavers as home underdogs yet again. They are 10-2 ATS as underdogs this year (regardless of the venue).
I mentioned on Wednesday how I thought Siena at Butler (Saturday, 11:00 a.m. Eastern on ESPN2) was the premier BracketBuster game for this weekend. The second-best will be played Friday night at 7:00 p.m. on ESPN2. That’ll be Old Dominion at Northern Iowa.
vegasinsider.com.
Game Of The Day: Syracuse at Georgetown
By JASON LOGAN
These Big East rivals meet again, with both the Orange and the Hoyas coming off disappointing losses.
Syracuse (24-2, 15-7 ATS) dropped just its second conference game of the season at home to Louisville this past weekend while Georgetown (18-6, 11-9 ATS) lost to lowly Rutgers on the road Sunday.
The Orange won the first game between these two teams, blowing out the Hoyas 73-56 as 5.5-point favorites at the Carrier Dome on January 25. Syracuse has won two straight over Georgetown but the teams are an even 5-5 in their past 10 meetings. However, Cuse has covered in seven of those contests.
Maestro not-so fresh Wes
Much of the Orange's success this season has to do with the instant impact of Iowa State transfer Wes Johnson. The versatile forward is averaging more than 15 points per game in Big East play but has been slowed by injuries over the past few weeks.
Since a nasty fall against Providence at the start of the month, the talented junior is just 10-for-35 from the floor and shooting 25 percent (3-for-12) from beyond the arc in his past four games, averaging only 10 points in limited minutes.
Johnson's most recent ailment is an injured thumb on his shooting hand suffered in Syracuse's win over the UConn Huskies last week. He was bothered by the injury in the team's 66-60 loss to the Louisville Cardinals Sunday, shooting just 5-for-20 from the field and finishing with 14 points, and has worn a protective wrap in practice this week.
Against Georgetown last month, Johnson scored 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting, grabbed nine rebounds but also committed seven turnovers.
Split personalties
The Hoyas could be the most bi-polar team in the country. At times, like a beat down of Duke in January, Georgetown appears ready for a deep run in the NCAA. And at others, like Sunday's 71-68 loss to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, GU doesn't look like it will escape the first round.
“As a group we have to get to a point where every game is tough,” coach John Thompson III told the Washington Post, “every single, solitary game is tough, particularly on the road, and we have to come with a certain level of attentiveness in (the Big East). Every team is talented. Every team is well-coached. Every game, every day, you have to be at the top of your game to win.”
Georgetown had won seven straight contests over Rutgers before that loss and was obviously looking ahead to this Thursday's showdown with Syracuse. The Hoyas turned the ball over 14 times and were outscored 18-8 off turnovers by the Scarlet Knights.
Inconsistent efforts have plagued the Hoyas all season. Sophomore center Greg Monroe stepped up with 19 points, eight rebounds and four blocks Sunday but starting guard Chris Wright managed only six points and leading scorer Austin Freeman, who finished with 17 points, was just 1-for-6 from beyond the arc.
Feed the beasts
Syracuse's high-powered offense, which ranks 11th in the country (80.8 points per game) and first in field goal percentage (52.2 percent) has lost some of its swagger in recent games.
The Orange have topped the 80-point plateau just once in their last six outings and have averaged 70 points per game in that span – playing under the total in all six games. Johnson's injuries have had their hand in this power outage, however, poor performances from other threats have taken the pop out of the Orange's offense.
Shooter Andy Rautins has cracked double figures in only three of his last seven games, freshman stud Brandon Triche is averaging just over 5.5 points in his last seven outings and top reserve guard Scoop Jardine has been MIA for most of conference play.
The one constant for Cuse has been the interior play from bruisers Rick Jackson and Arinze Onuaku. The 6-foot-9 forwards combined to go 9-for-11 from the field for a total of 18 points versus the Cardinals. The game before that, Jackson and Onuaka totaled 22 points and 16 rebounds, shooting a combined 52 percent from the floor against the Huskies
"They were overpowering those guys down there," Rautins told reporters following the win over UConn. "They have bigger frames, so we had to take advantage on the post."
If the Orange's perimeter players continue to struggle, coach Jim Boeheim must get his big men more touches. Versus the Hoyas in January, those two bodies combined for 15 points, 11 rebounds and had Georgetown's forwards in foul trouble, getting Monroe to foul out with only eight points in the game.
Trends
Syracuse is 7-1 ATS in its past eight road games.
Under is 5-1 in the past five meetings between these programs in Georgetown.
Georgetown is 4-0 ATS in its last four games coming off an ATS loss.
Syracuse is 15-6 ATS in its last 21 Big East games.
Over is 5-2 in Georgetown's last seven Thursday games.
Home team is 4-0 ATS in the past four meetings between these programs.
(5) Syracuse (24-2, 15-7 ATS) at (10) Georgetown (18-6, 11-9 ATS)
A pair of Big East heavyweights collide when the Orange travel to the D.C. area to face Georgetown at the Verizon Center.
Syracuse opened the season with 13 consecutive wins, fell as a heavy home chalk against Pittsburgh, then reeled off 11 more wins (8-3 ATS) before getting upset by Louisville 66-60 as a 7½-point home favorite Sunday. The Orange are averaging 80.8 ppg on a nation-leading 52.2 percent shooting this season, while allowing 64.3 ppg on 38.5 percent shooting. However, over its last five games, the ‘Cuse is down to 69.4 ppg and 46.9 percent shooting.
The Hoyas were on a 5-2 SU and ATS surge before being dealt a shocking 71-68 loss Sunday at Rutgers as a 10½-point road chalk, a team they had pounded 88-63 as a 19½-point home favorite three weeks ago. Like Syracuse, Georgetown also shoots the rock well, making 50.6 percent of its field goals (third), and the Hoyas are outscoring visitors by about a dozen points per game (77.6-65.5), hitting 52.6 percent from the floor at the Verizon Center. And in the last five games overall, Georgetown is shooting a hefty 55.2 percent.
Syracuse has cashed in six of the last seven in this rivalry (5-2 SU), winning and covering at home in the last two contests. That includes a 73-56 rout as a 5 ½-point favorite back on Jan. 25, as the Orange fell behind 14-0 to start the game and then rolled from there. Last year at home, Georgetown prevailed 88-74 as a 6½-points favorite, as the home team has cashed in the last four meetings. Also, the SU winner is on a 7-1 ATS run when these rivals hook up.
The Orange are on several positive pointspread streaks, including 24-9 overall, 4-0 after a SU loss, 6-1 after a non-cover, 7-1 on the road, 20-8 against winning teams and 15-6 in the Big East. The Hoyas are on ATS upticks of 4-0 after a non-cover, 5-1 after a SU loss and 4-1 at home, but they’ve also gone just 9-22 ATS in their last 31 Big East starts.
The over for Georgetown is on rolls of 5-1 at home, 6-0 after a SU loss, 5-0 after an ATS defeat and 5-2 on Thursday, but the total has stayed low in four of the Hoyas’ last five conference starts. In addition, Syracuse sports “under” streaks of 6-0 overall (all in the Big East), 6-0 as a visitor, 6-0 after a non-cover and 5-1 coming off a SU loss, though the over has hit in its last five Thursday games. Finally, in this rivalry, the total has stayed low in four of the last five meetings at Georgetown, and last month’s clash at Syracuse also fell short of the posted total.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
(17) Vanderbilt (19-5, 12-10 ATS) at Ole Miss (17-7, 12-7-1 ATS)
Vanderbilt, winners of three of its last four games, heads south to Oxford’s Tad Smith Coliseum for an SEC contest with the Rebels, who have dropped three of their last four.
Following a 72-58 blowout loss as a four-point favorite at Georgia, Vandy whipped then-No. 12 Tennessee 90-71 as a three-point home favorite on Feb. 9 and topped LSU 77-69 on Saturday, though it failed to cash as a 15½-point chalk in that contest. The Commodores average 78.9 ppg on 48.7 percent shooting, while allowing 69.6 ppg on 41.7 percent shooting. On the road, though, their scoring dips to 72.7 ppg, and they give up 75.0 ppg. Vandy went 3-0 SU and ATS in its first three SEC roadies but has since dropped two in a row SU and ATS, losing at Georgia and Kentucky (85-72).
Mississippi has followed a 3-0 SU and ATS surge with its current 1-3 SU skid (1-2-1 ATS), including last Thursday’s 71-63 loss at Mississippi State as a four-point underdog. The Rebels have outscored foes by about 10 ppg on average (79.6-69.9), but on the home court – where they’re 10-2 this season – they put up 82.4 ppg and allow 66.7.
Vanderbilt is 7-1 SU and 6-2 ATS in the last eight clashes in this rivalry, including a 71-61 home win last season giving 7½ points. The SU winner is 12-1 ATS in the last 13 meetings, and the favorite is 8-1 ATS in the last nine.
The Commodores are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 against winning teams, but they’re also on pointspread skids of 1-4 overall (all in the SEC), 1-6 on Thursday, 1-4 after a SU win and 2-5 after a non-cover. The Rebels are 5-11 ATS in their last 16 Thursday outings, but the ATS streaks trend upward from there, including 5-2-1 overall (all in the SEC), 12-4 after a non-cover, 10-4-1 after a SU loss and 39-19 against teams with a win percentage above .600.
High-scoring Vandy is on a bundle of “over” tears, including 7-1 overall (all in conference play), 4-0 on Thursday, 7-1 after an ATS setback, 5-1 following a SU win and 8-2 on the highway. The over is also 3-1-1 with Ole Miss coming off a SU loss, but the Rebels are otherwise on “under” surges of 5-2-1 overall and 3-1-1 at home. The under is also 4-2 in the last six meetings in this rivalry, with the last two contests in a row staying low.
ATS ADVANTAGE: MISSISSIPPI
(19) Pittsburgh (19-6, 12-8-2 ATS) at Marquette (16-8, 12-6 ATS)
Surging Marquette aims to firm up its NCAA Tournament credentials when it plays host to the Panthers in a Big East clash at the Bradley Center.
Pitt has followed a 1-4 SU slide (2-3 ATS) by winning its last three (2-0 ATS), squeaking past then-No. 5 West Virginia 98-95 in overtime last Friday as a 2½-point home favorite. That final tally was way beyond the Panthers’ season averages of 69.0 ppg scored and 61.6 ppg allowed, and on the road this year, Pitt is getting outscored by just over a point per game on average (67.3-66.0).
The Eagles lost five of seven games to open Big East play this year (5-2 ATS), with four of the five losses coming by two points or less. Since then, though, they’ve won five in a row, including a 63-52 victory over improving South Florida on Saturday, barely cashing as a nine-point home chalk. Marquette is second nationally in 3-point shooting (42.3 percent), and during the current run, it has hit 40.2 percent from long distance while holding opponents to just 26.5 percent from beyond the arc.
Pittsburgh is 3-1 SU and ATS in the last four meetings in this rivalry, after a 4-1 SU and 5-0 ATS run by Marquette. In last year’s lone meeting, the Panthers won 90-75 as a 9½-point home chalk, meaning the SU winner is a perfect 7-0 ATS in the last seven series clashes. The home team and the favorite are on identical 4-1 ATS runs in the last five meetings.
The Golden Eagles carry positive pointspread streaks of 5-1 overall (all within the conference), 5-0 on Thursday, 7-0 against winning teams, 4-1 at home and 5-2 after either a SU or an ATS victory. Likewise, the Panthers are on ATS rolls of 10-3-1 overall, 11-3-2 against winning teams, 6-2-1 after a SU win and 8-3-1 in the Big East.
Marquette is on “over” stretches of 5-1 overall (all in the Big East), 4-1 on Thursday, 7-2 against winning teams and 5-2 after a pointspread win, and Pitt carries “over” trends of 4-0 following a SU win and 7-2 when facing a winning team. Additionally, in this rivalry, the total has gone high in seven of the last nine meetings, with last year’s shootout halting a 2-0 “under” uptick.
ATS ADVANTAGE: MARQUETTE and OVER
Looking for a Bounce
By SportsPic
Both Syracuse and Georgetown try to put behind Big East losses when the two hit Verizon Center hardwood on Thursday. Cuse seeing an eleven game along with a ten-game Big East win streak snapped with it's 66-60 home loss to Louisville enter a 24-2 (15-7 ATS) overall, 11-2 (7-5-1 ATS) in conference play. Interesting that both Syracuse blemishes occurred on home court and that Jim Boeheim's troops remain a perfect 9-0 (8-1 ATS) away from the Carrier Dome including 6-0 (5-1 ATS) vs conference rivals. Big concern for Cuse come Thursday, the health of Wes Johnson. Suffering a hard fall against Providence a couple of weeks back then a wrist injury vs UCONN Johnson hasn't shown the same explosiveness the past four hitting just 13-of-43 from the field (30.9%), 4-of-16 (25.0%) from outside. As for Georgetown, Hoyas lost 71-68 at Rutgers bringing it's record to 18-6 (11-9 ATS), 8-4 (6-6 ATS) in the Big East. Hoyas racking up 77.6 PPG at home have won 11-of-13 (5-5 ATS) in front of the home crowd. Little doubt Hoyas will be pumped at getting another crack at Syracuse which handed it it's worst defeat of the season (73-56) but revenge won't come easy, Georgetown is just 8-17 (12-13 ATS) last twenty-five encounters with Syracuse including 6-5 SU & ATS hosting Cuse.
NCAAB News and Notes
Thursday, February 18
Information on the best of Thursday's college basketball games........
Georgetown (+5.5) raced out to 14-0 lead at Syracuse, then lost 73-56 in Carrier Dome Jan 25; Orange outscored Hoyas 21-6 from charity stripe, shot 53% for game. Syracuse has 11-game win streak snapped at home Sunday; they're 6-0 on Big East road. Erratic Georgetown is 3-3 in last six games; they were a double digit favorite in two of the losses.
Auburn upset Florida 61-58 in SEC tourney LY, ending 6-game skid vs Gators; Tigers lost last three visits here by 16-12-16 points. Florida lost last two games, allowing 77-76 points; they covered three of last four in SEC play, winning home games by 14-7-16-2 points. Auburn is 3-1-1 as SEC road underdog; their last two road games both went into OT.
Ole Miss lost three of last four games, was down 20 at half in the win; Rebels lost five of last six games vs Vanderbilt, but did win last meeting here- favorites covered five of the last six series games. Vandy lost last two road games, by 13 at Kentucky, 14 at Georgia; they play Kentucky at home Saturday. Ole Miss is 1-2-1 as an SEC home favorite.
UL-Lafayette (+2.5) lost 62-60 at Arkansas State Jan 28; making 36.8% on foul line, 3-17 from arc, but Ragin' Cajuns are 7-0 at home in league games, covering last five tries as home favorites. Favorites are 4-0-1 vs spread in ASU's last five road games; ASU is just 4-3 in its last seven games. Sun Belt home favorites of 6-9 points are 7-10 vs spread.
Portland (-15) made 53% from floor, 11-26 from arc in 80-64 home win over Pepperdine Jan 23; Pilots won six of last seven games, are 6-0 as a WCC favorite, 2-0 on road, winning away games by 9-16-22 pts. Waves lost last seven games (0-6 vs spread in last six); they're 2-6 vs spread as WCC underdog. WCC home dogs of 4+ points are 3-7 vs spread.
Washington State lost five of last six games; they're 1-3 as Pac-10 home favorite, with only one hone win by more than five points; Cougars lost 74-62 at UCLA Jan 23 (+2.5), shooting 36% for game. UCLA shot 59% in that win, but they're just 2-3 on Pac-10 road, 3-2 as a road underdog. Pac-10 home favorites of 5 or less points are 13-8 vs spread.
Minnesota swept Wisconsin by 4-5 points LY, after losing eight of last nine against Badgers; Gophers lost six of last eight games overall (0-8 vs spread), losing two of last three at home. Wisconsin won three of last four visits here; they've won five of last seven games, are 3-3 on Big 11 road, with wins by 17-10-18. Gophers scored 65.8 ppg last 6 games.
Home team won five of last six Pitt-Marquette games; Panthers lost last three visits here by 1-7-18 points. Pitt lost last three road games, by 3-9-19 points- they're 4-1 as Big East road underdog (4-2 SU). Marquette won last five games (4-1 vs spread), covering four of last five as a home favorite, with home wins by 3-30-23-11-11 points.
Gonzaga (-20) beat LMU 85-69 Jan 23, shooting 52% from floor, 24-38 from line, in game that was tied at half; Zags are 13-1 in last 14 against the Lions, winning five of last six here (wins by 14-3-9-23-22 pts; 4-2 vs spread). LMU is 3-2 at home in WCC, but lost by 18 to St Mary's, they haven't hosted Portland. WCC home dogs of less than 12 points: 2-8.
Stanford shot 52% from floor, 29-38 from line in 84-69 win vs Oregon Jan 23; Cardinal lost five of last six games overall- they were down 15 at halftime in the one win. Stanford is 3-4 as Pac-10 road dog, losing away games by 26-33-4-8-18-4-5 points. Oregon lost three in row, eight of its last 10 games- they're 1-3 vs spread as a Pac1-0 home favorite.
Cal (-15) beat Oregon State 65-61 Jan 23, despite making just 4-18 from arc; Golden Bears won last three games overall, by 14-12-16 points, are 3-3 on Pac-10 road (2-1 as Pac-10 road favorite), and won three of last four visits to Corvallis, winning by 17-3-10 points. Beavers are 7-2 vs spread as Pac-10 dog, 1-1 at home- they're 3-2 in last five games overall.
USC (-2.5) routed Washington 87-61 Jan 23, making 58% of shots, as Huskies made just 37%; Trojans are 1-4 on Pac-10 road, but 2-0-1 as a road underdog, losing away games by 1-8-6-10 points. Huskies are 4-1 vs spread in last five home games, winning by 33-15-28-6-23. Pac-10 home favorites of 8+ points are just 5-14 against the spread this year.
Western Carolina lost three of last four games, allowing 78.8 ppg; they're 0-5 vs spread in its last five games, 3-4 SU in its last seven road games. Citadel won its last four games, all by 7 or less points- they won three in row at home, by 10-4-8 points. Southern Conference home favorites of 4 or less points are 8-12 against the pointspread this season.
Tips and Trends
Syracuse Orange at Georgetown Hoyas
Orange: 5th ranked Syracuse lost SU for only the 2nd time this season, falling at home as 7.5 favorites to Louisville. Syracuse is an impressive 24-2 SU and 15-7 ATS this season. Arguably the most impressive stat for the Orange this season is the fact that they have a perfect record away from home. Syracuse is 9-0 SU and 8-1 ATS in both true road games and neutral court settings this seasons. Syracuse is the only team left in the nation that doesn't have a SU road loss this season. The Orange are a perfect 3-0 both SU and ATS as the listed underdog this season. Syracuse averages 80.8 PPG this season, but have been held under that average in 6 of their past 7 games. The Orange lead the nation in FG percentage, shooting 52.2% as a team. 4 different Orange players average double digits in PTS this season, led by F Wesley Johnson. Johnson averages 16 PPG this season, but is really struggling of late. Johnson is shooting less that 29% over his past 6 games, and has seen his scoring average dip 6 PTS.
Syracuse is 7-0 ATS last 7 road games vs. a team with a home winning % greater than .600.
Under is 6-0 last 6 road games.
Key Injuries - None.
PROJECTED SCORE: 76 (SIDE of the Day)
Hoyas (-1, O/U 146): Georgetown has some revenge on their minds tonight, as they lost by double digits to Syracuse 3 weeks ago. They are also coming off a SU loss in their last game as a double digit favorite. The Hoyas are ranked 10th in the nation thanks to an 18-6 SU record. Georgetown is 11-2 SU and 5-5 ATS at home this season. The Hoyas are 6-2 ATS as a single digit favorite this season. Today marks the smallest amount of PTS the Hoyas have been favored by at home all season long. The Hoyas have yet to win more than 2 games in a row ATS this entire season. Georgetown is looking to beat their 3rd top 10 opponent at home this season. With a SU win tonight, the Hoyas would be the only team in the nation with 7 SU wins against top 25 ranked teams. 3 different Hoyas average at least 14 PPG for the Hoyas this season. C Greg Monroe averages 15.5 PPG and a team high 9.5 RPG this season. Georgetown is 16-0 SU when G Chris Wright scores in double figures this season.
Hoyas are 4-1 ATS last 5 home games.
Over is 5-1 last 6 home games.
Key Injuries - F Nikita Mescheriakov (personal) is out.
PROJECTED SCORE: 72