Tuesday's Best NCAAB Bet
North Carolina Tar Heels at Boston College Eagles (2.5)
The Tar Heels are starting to peak during conference play thanks to star freshman Harrison Barnes. And the Eagles are taking a step back as standout senior guard Reggie Jackson can’t even get off the bench.
North Carolina has gone 8-2 SU and 5-4 ATS over its past 10 games, posting victories over Virginia, Virginia Tech and Miami. Over that stretch, Barnes has cracked double-figures eight times and is averaging 12.5 points and 5.3 rebounds per game this year.
“He’s a gifted young man who’s been wanting to break out,” North Carolina coach Roy Williams said. “I really did feel this: once we got into ACC play you have to raise it a level. I had a hunch that he might play better because he’s gone through all those other experiences, and he’s the kind of young man who learns from those things.”
Meantime, Jackson, second in the Atlantic Coast Conference in points (18.5) and assists (5) per game, was benched at the start of the first and second halves of an 84-68 loss to Duke. And don’t expect it to change anytime soon as coach Steve Donahue gave a cryptic answer when asked about his star riding the pine.
“(I’m) trying to build a program, and practice matters,” the first-year coach said. “Kids who practice well get rewarded with playing time. Dallas Elmore has done a very good job and so has Corey (Raji). I thought both of those guys deserved to start based on how well they’ve done in practice over the last couple of weeks.”
Pick: North Carolina
NCAA Betting Preview: Purdue at Wisconsin
By: Adam Markowitz
The Purdue Boilermakers and Wisconsin Badgers have only lost nine games between them this year, but one of them is going to be dealt another 'L' on Tuesday night when they meet up at the Kohl Center in Madison.
This 4 p.m. (PT) tip-off will decide which team will be in second place in the Big Ten behind the undefeated Ohio State Buckeyes, and it will be seen nationally on ESPN and the ESPN family of networks.
Purdue has to figure out how to get back in the win column in NCAA basketball betting action at some point. After starting the year off 4-0 against the spread, the team has slid to losses at the Minnesota Golden Gophers, West Virginia Mountaineers and Ohio State Buckeyes. It is coming off of a fantastic home thumping of the Gophers in the revenge game at Mackey Arena on Saturday, and perhaps head coach Matt Painter and company can use that as a bit of motivation for this big game on deck on Tuesday.
JaJuan Johnson scored 24 points and dragged down seven boards on Saturday, raising his scoring average to 20.8 PPG this year. He played all 40 minutes and was not given a breather. E'Twaun Moore was off of his game, which was a bit surprising. He only scored nine points, marking the seventh time in his last eight battles in which he failed to reach his scoring average of 17.5 PPG.
Normally speaking, when either Moore or Johnson struggles, the Boilermakers are in big trouble, but on Saturday, they got great showings out of both Lewis Jackson (13 points, 5 assists, 5 rebounds), and Ryne Smith (15 points). There still isn't another player on this team outside of the two stars that is averaging more than 7.0 PPG though, and that's really proving to hamper this team in the brutal Big Ten.
To no surprise, all of Wisconsin's defeats against league foes have come on the road this year, as they are just 1-3 SU and 2-2 ATS thus far when playing outside of Madison in conference. The team has yet to lose at home, and it only has one failed attempt at a cover, that coming as 13½-point chalks on the NCAA basketball odds against the Indiana Hoosiers back on January 20. These next three home games are going to be trying though, as Purdue, Michigan State and Ohio State aren't going to make for welcome visitors.
The Badgers were knocked off by the Penn State Nittany Lions over the weekend in a bad loss, and they didn't get a single point off of the bench. In fact, if you take away the efforts of Jordan Taylor, Jon Leuer, and Keaton Nankivil, the team only produced seven total points.
Just like Purdue, Wisconsin only has a few stars in its show on a regular basis. Leuer and Taylor combine for over 36 PPG, while Nankivil is averaging 9.6 PPG. These three account for well over half of the points scored on the average night, and the rest of the club merely facilitates and tries to play great defense to lead Wisky to victory.
These two teams split the college basketball wagering wars last year amongst one another SU, but the Badgers won both duels from the ATS standpoint. The Boilermakers had covered seven in a row before that against Wisconsin, and they had gone 5-2 SU in that stretch to boot.
Wisconsin and Purdue will meet once again in just three weeks at Mackey Arena.
Gators, Commodores battle NCAA odds in Florida
By: Willie Bee
A pair of SEC rivals fighting to gain the respect of the polls square off in a key conference clash Tuesday night when the Florida Gators host the Vanderbilt Commodores.
The Gators enter the fracas 23rd in the latest rankings posted by the coaches. Florida is unranked by the AP, sitting just outside the top 25 in 27th. Vanderbilt is listed 23rd by the AP and tied for 24th with Illinois according to the coaches.
Vanderbilt (15-5 straight up, 8-7-1 against the spread) is coming off one its worst performances of the year, an 89-78 loss at home on Saturday to Arkansas. The Commodores were 13-point favorites at Memorial Gym where they suffered their first setback in front of the home fans of the season.
Chandler ParsonsKevin Stallings' squad had no answer for Razorbacks guard Rotnei Clarke who scored a season-best 36 points. Arkansas hit over 57 percent of its field goals, the highest mark Vandy has allowed this campaign. The 78 points by the 'Dores were right on their season average (78.8), 21st in the country, and they hit an amazing 25-of-26 tosses from the charity stripe. But Vanderbilt fell well off their glass work, pulling in 21 boards compared to a 39.0 average.
Vanderbilt came out flat, possibly due to the somber task of attending a funeral for guard Chris Meriwether's mother the day before the game.
The loss extended the woes of Vanderbilt backers after the team got off to a great start at the window covering seven of its first nine lined affairs. The Commodores are now 1-5-1 ATS in their last seven.
Florida (16-5 SU, 7-10 ATS) is also coming off an upset defeat, dropping a 71-64 decision as six-point chalk at Mississippi State last Saturday. The Gators simply couldn't find the net against the Bulldogs, hitting just under 40 percent from the field and canning only 5-of-21 from long range, both well below season averages. Billy Donovan's troops also struggled from the line, missing 10 of 19 free throws while Mississippi State was netting 19 of their 23 charity tosses.
It was a particularly long afternoon for Gators guard Kenny Boynton. The sophomore from Pompano Beach, second on the team in scoring at 13 per game, was able to sink just two of his 11 field goals and none from three-point land to end the day with just four points in 30 minutes.
Junior forward Lance Goulbourne is the only significant injury for either squad to report. The Commodores' leading rebounder (7.9) and fifth-leading scorer (8.3) is questionable with a bum ankle that limited him to 17 minutes and just three boards in the loss to the Hogs.
This is the first of two meetings on the regular season slate between the two schools with the second coming on the final Saturday of the season (March 5) in Nashville. Vandy won both battles last season, covering the odds as six-point chalk at home and as a three-point underdog in Gainesville. Game totals split, the 'under' cashing at O'Connell Center.
Florida holds a 38-21 all-time edge at home against Vanderbilt who owns the overall series advantage, 63-58.
ESPN will provide Tuesday's broadcast from Gainesville with the tip coming a few minutes past 6 p.m. (PT).
Vanderbilt moves back home for its next two contests, South Carolina this Saturday and Alabama next Thursday (Feb. 10). The Gators remain at O'Connell Center for this Saturday's battle with No. 10 Kentucky. That game will be part of the Don Best preview schedule and televised by ESPN (6p.m. PT).
College Basketball Knowledge
Florida State won four of last five games; they're 2-0-1 as home favorite in ACC games, with home wins by 6-5-13-16 points. Wake Forest won its first league game Saturday; they're 0-3 as ACC road dog, losing road games by 21-29-35 points. ACC home favorites of 15+ points are 1-4 vs spread. Wake lost four of last five visits here, losing by 5-8-8-4 points.
Baylor (-16.5) shot 62% from floor in 74-61 win over Oklahoma Jan 12, Bears' third straight series win- their 70-63 win here LY was first win for Baylor in Norman in last seven tries. Sooners won last three games, with wins in last two home games. Big 12 home underdogs of 8 or less points are 5-6 vs spread. Baylor scored 59 ppg in losing last two home games.
Home team is 9-3 in last 12 Purdue-Wisconsin games, with Boilers 5-1 in last six series games, winning two of last three here. Purdue is 7-2 in Big 11, but lost last two road games, at Minnesota/Ohio State. Badgers are 4-0 in Big 11 home games, with wins by 8-16-10-9 points. Big 11 home favorites of less than 8 points are 12-3-1 vs spread.
Ball State scored 53-60 points in losing last two games, after 5-0 start in MAC play; they're 3-0 on MAC road. Miami is 2-3 in last five games; they won nine of last ten games vs Ball State, losing to Cardinals in two OTs LY; Ball State lost last four visits here, by 8ot-4ot-22-18 points. MAC home favorites of 5 or less points are 4-10 vs spread.
Wichita State (-11) beat Indiana State 93-84 in triple OT 10 days ago at home, its 5th series win in row; Shockers won last two visits here by 6-11 points. ISU lost last three games by 10-3-14 points, after 7-1 start in MVC- they're 2-0 as home dog. Wichita is 5-0 as MVC road favorite, with wins by 16-14-14-14-10 points. MVC home underdogs are 5-9.
Kentucky won eight of last nine games vs Ole Miss, but lost last visit here in '09; Wildcats are 1-2 on SEC road, with win at South Carolina by 9- they're 2-4 as SEC favorites. Ole Miss lost all three of its SEC home games, by 5-22-17 points- road team is 6-0 vs spread in their conference games. SEC home underdogs of 7 or less points are 5-2-1 vs spread.
Crieghton (-10) shot 58% for game, made 10-18 from arc in 81-68 win over Bradley 13 days ago, game they led by 25 at the half; Bluejays are 4-0 as MVC favorite, but lost last three road games by total of 8 points. Bradley is 0-11 in MVC, 0-3 as home dog, losing games in Peoria by 16-8-6-1-11 points. MVC home underdogs are 5-9 against the spread.
New Mexico won last seven games vs Air Force, winning last three trips to Clune Arena by 17-10-23 points, but Lobos are 0-3 on MWC road in 2011, 1-3 as MWC favorite. Falcons are 6-1 vs spread in MWC, 2-1 at home, with only loss by 12 to UNLV. Lobos are off upset of BYU in last game. MWC home underdogs of 6+ points are 3-4 vs the spread.
Vanderbilt is 4-3 in last seven games vs Florida, winning here LY for 1st time in last seven tries; both teams here are erratic as hell. Florida's two SEC losses were as 11/6-point favorites- they're 1-4 as SEC road faves. Vandy lost two of three on SEC road, losing by 8 at South Carolina, 3 at Tennessee. SEC home favorites of 5 or less points are 3-6 vs spread.
Illinois' 57-55 loss (-4) at Penn State Jan 11 started Illini on current 1-4 skid; Illinois is 3-0 as Big 11 home favorite, winning at home by 8-25-11 points, losing as home dog to #1 Ohio State. Single digit home favorites are 15-5-1 vs spread in Big 11 games. Penn State covered its last six in a row, but they lost last three road games, by 7-1-3 (3-1 as road dog).
Home side won last four Houston-Marshall games; Herd lost last three visits here, by 13-13-15 points. Both teams are struggling; Houston lost last three games, by 5-8ot-4 points- they're 2-1 at home, losing by 5 to UTEP. Marshall lost three of last four games; they're 0-3 in conference road games, losing by 7-16-4. Home underdogs are 6-4-1 in C-USA.
Bill Self is 0-3 against Texas Tech in Lubbock, as home side won seven series games in row; after 0-4 start in Big 12, Red Raiders won last three games, taking last two home games by a point each. Kansas is 5-1 in Big 12 games, 2-4 as favorite, winning road games by 5 at Iowa State, 20 at Baylor, 4 at Colorado. Double digit favorites are 2-5 in Big 12 play.
Home side won last ten Iowa State-Colorado games; Cyclones lost last five visits here, by 2-9-12-6-3 points. Both sides lost last four games; Iowa State 1-2 as Big 12 road underdog, losing away games by 1-9ot-33 points. Colorado is 2-1 at home in Big 12, with wins by 13-4 points and loss to Kansas. Home faves of 7 or less points are 13-2-1 in Big 12.
North Carolina is 5-1 in ACC, winning last three games, but their wins on road are by 6 at Virginia, 3 at Miami with loss at Florida State, so not overly impressive. UNC lost to BC by 7-4 points last two years; they split last eight series games. Eagles are 3-0 at home in ACC, winning by 11-9-3 pts. Single digit home underdogs are 5-3 vs spread in ACC games.
Tips and Trends
Purdue Boilermakers at Wisconsin Badgers
BOILERMAKERS: Purdue was able to respond quickly to their blowout loss to Ohio St. by beating up on Minnesota. The Boilermakers will get another chance at playing well on the road in Wisconsin tonight. Purdue is 18-4 SU and 12-7 ATS overall this season, placing them 12th in the national polls. The Boilermakers are 4-3 both SU and ATS in true road settings this year. Purdue is 1-2 both SU and ATS as the listed underdog this season. The Boilermakers have lost their past 3 road games partly due to their inept offense. Purdue has scored 67 PTS or fewer in each of their last 3 road games. Against Wisconsin tonight, it's quite likely they will make it 4 consecutive games of 67 PTS or fewer. C JaJuan Johnson leads Purdue in both scoring and rebounding this season, averaging 20.7 PPG and 7.8 RPG respectively. The Boilermakers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 Tuesday games. Purdue is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games following an ATS win. The Boilermakers are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games against a team with a winning percentage above .600%.
Boilermakers are 6-2 ATS last 8 games following a SU win.
Over is 5-1 last 6 road games.
Key Injuries - None Reported.
Projected Score: 56
BADGERS: (-4, O/U 122.5) Wisconsin has been brilliant at home, as they are a perfect 11-0 SU there. The Badgers will get quite the test tonight, as they are facing a Purdue team that has beaten them 5 of the past 6 meetings SU. Wisconsin is 15-5 SU and 10-6 ATS overall this season, ranking them 15th in the national polls. Wisconsin is 5-2 ATS as a single digit favorite this season. The Badgers have allowed an average of 52 PPG over their past 2 games. Defensively, Wisconsin will look to match their recent intensity on the defensive side of the ball. F Jon Leuer leads the Badgers with 19.2 PPG and 6.8 RPG this season. G Jordan Taylor is averaging 17.4 PPG and a team high 4.5 APG this year. The Badgers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following an ATS loss. Wisconsin is 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games following a SU loss. The Badgers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 home games against a team with a winning road record. The Badgers are 6-15 ATS in their last 21 Tuesday games.
Badgers are 4-0 ATS last 4 games against a team with a winning percentage above .600%.
Under is 23-11 last 34 games against the Big Ten Conference.
Key Injuries - J.D. Wise (foot) is questionable.
Projected Score: 59 (UNDER-Total of the Day)
Vanderbilt Commodores at Florida Gators
COMMODORES: Vanderbilt had been playing quite well up until their latest performance against Arkansas. Flat out, the Commodores simply played a flat game in losing 78-89 SU. Vanderbilt is 15-5 SU and 8-7-1 ATS overall this season, in route to ranking 24th in the national polls. The Commodores are 2-3 SU and 2-2-1 ATS overall this year in true road contests. Vanderbilt is 3-1 ATS as the listed underdog this season. G John Jenkins is averaging a team high 19.1 PPG this season, including a free throw percentage of 90%. F Jeffery Taylor is averaging 15.2 PPG and 5.2 RPG this season for the Commodores. The Commodores are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 Tuesday games. Vanderbilt is 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games following a SU loss. The Commodores are 1-5-1 ATS in their last 7 games overall. The Commodores are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games against a team with a winning percentage above .600. Vanderbilt is 0-6-1 ATS in their last 7 games against the SEC Conference.
Commodores are 2-8-1 ATS last 11 games following a double-digit loss at home.
Over is 13-3 last 16 games following a SU loss.
Key Injuries - G Lance Goulbourne (knee) is questionable.
Projected Score: 72 (SIDE of the Day)
GATORS: (-3.5, O/U 139) Florida has been hovering near the bottom of the Top 25 polls all season long. The Gators are a talented team that simply needs some help in getting over the hump. Florida lost their last game, a 64-71 SU loss at Mississippi St. The Gators are 16-5 SU and 7-10 ATS overall this season. Florida is currently ranked 23rd in the national polls. Florida is 9-3 SU and 2-7 ATS in home games this season. The Gators are 1-4 ATS as a single digit favorite this year. The Gators have revenge fresh on their minds, as they lost both meetings SU to Vanderbilt last year. G Erving Walker leads the Gators in scoring this season, averaging 14.4 PPG. G Kenny Boynton is averaging 13 PPG this year, while shooting better than 81% from the free throw line. F Chandler Parson is averaging 10.3 PPG and a team high 7.3 RPG this year. The Gators are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following an ATS loss. Florida is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games against a team with a winning percentage above .600%. The Gators are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games following a SU loss.
Gators are 3-7 ATS last 10 home games.
Over is 6-1 last 7 games against a team with a winning percentage above .600%.
Key Injuries - None Reported.
Projected Score: 70
Game of the day: Purdue at Wisconsin
THE STORY: Two of the Big Ten's top three teams duke it out when No. 10 Purdue travels to No. 18 Wisconsin on Tuesday evening. The game features four of the league's top seven scorers — Purdue seniors JaJuan Johnson (20.7 ppg) and E'Twaun Moore (17.5) rank first and sixth, respectively, while Wisconsin's Jon Leuer (19.2) and Jordan Taylor (17.4) are third and seventh.
The Boilermakers trail No. 1 and undefeated Ohio State by two games in the Big Ten standings. The Badgers sit in third after being upset by Penn State over the weekend.
TV: ESPN, 7 p.m. ET.
ODDS: This line opened at -4 in favor of the Badgers and has since been bet up as high as -5. The total has remained steady at 122.5 points.
ABOUT WISCONSIN (15-5, 5-3 Big Ten, 10-6 ATS): The Badgers had been on a roll, winning three straight before stumbling on the road against Penn State, 56-52, on Saturday. Wisconsin jumped out to an early 22-9 lead before allowing the Nittany Lions to come back. The Badgers, who are still a perfect 11-0 on their home court, lead the nation in turnovers per game (7.8), assist-turnover ratio (1.83) and free-throw percentage (81.8). Freshman guard Josh Gasser had 10 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists in a Jan. 23 rout of Northwestern, making him the first Big Ten rookie to post a triple-double since Magic Johnson in 1977.
ABOUT PURDUE (18-4, 7-2 Big Ten, 12-7 ATS): The Boilermakers rebounded from a blowout loss at top-ranked Ohio State by toppling then-No. 18 Minnesota, 73-61, on Saturday to earn a split of the season series. Johnson scored a game-high 24 points, while junior guard Ryne Smith added all 15 of his points in the second half to help secure the win. Smith had totaled just 16 points in Purdue's previous five games after a four-game stretch in which he had averaged 17.0 points. The Boilermakers are 4-3 in true road games, including a 2-2 split in league play, but they have dropped three straight on the road since having their 10-game away winning streak snapped.
WHO'S HOT/WHO’S NOT: An All-American candidate, Purdue’s Johnson has scored 20 points or more in each of his last six games. … Moore has hit just 7 of his last 26 shots (26.9 percent) … Taylor has hit 21 of 37 field-goal attempts (56.8 percent) over the last three games for the Badgers.
KEY STATISTIC: Wisconsin averages fewer turnovers than any team in the country, but Purdue isn't far behind. The Boilermakers rank 11th nationally with just 10.9 giveaways per contest.
RECENT HISTORY: Purdue has won five of the last six meetings, including two of its last three in Madison. The two schools split a pair of games last season, with the home team prevailing in both. Wisconsin earned a 73-66 victory at the Kohl Center, and Purdue countered with a 60-57 home win less than three weeks later.
LOOKING AHEAD: Purdue and Wisconsin face off again on Feb. 16 in West Lafayette, Ind. In the meantime, the Badgers sandwich a Feb. 9 road trip to Iowa between home games with Michigan State (Feb. 6) and Ohio State (Feb. 12). The Boilermakers host Indiana on Feb. 8 before traveling to Illinois on Feb. 13.
LAST WORD: Purdue ranked ninth nationally in scoring defense (57.0) through Jan. 9 but has allowed an average of 70.1 points in the six games since. The Boilermakers are 3-3 during that stretch.
TRENDS:
* Boilermakers are 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings in Wisconsin.
* Boilermakers are 7-2 ATS in the last nine meetings.
* Underdog is 8-1 ATS in the last nine meetings.