Tuesday's Tips
By Brian Edwards
**Miami at Wake Forest**
Las Vegas Sports Consultants opened Wake Forest (14-5 SU, 8-8 ATS) as an eight-point favorite.
Wake saw its two-game winning streak both SU and ATS snapped Thursday in Atlanta, where Georgia Tech spanked the Demon Deacons 79-58 as a six-point home favorite. Al-Farouq Aminu had 15 points and eight rebounds in the losing effort, while Ishmael Smith had 12 points and five steals.
Miami (16-5 SU, 7-6 ATS) brought its four-game losing streak to a halt with Sunday’s 82-75 home win over Va. Tech as a two-point home favorite. James Dews scored a team-high 21 points to pace the Hurricanes. Malcolm Grant and Durant Scott added 13 and 12 points, respectively.
Wake Forest is tied for fourth place in the ACC with FSU and Ga. Tech, as each school owns a 4-3 record in league play. Miami and N.C. St. are occupying the ACC cellar together with 2-5 conference ledgers. The Deacs, ‘Noles and Jackets are just one game back of first-place Duke and its 5-2 ACC record.
Frank Haith’s squad has lost its last three ACC road games by an average of 18.3 points per game. The ‘Canes have gone down at Va. Tech (81-66), at UVA (75-57) and at Maryland (81-59).
Dino Gaudio’s team is 9-1 SU and 3-4 ATS at home. The Deacs’ only home loss came against William & Mary by a 78-68 count as 16-point favorites back on Nov. 28. We should note, however, that the Tribe does have a formidable team with a 15-6 record and an RPI of 51.
Smith is the catalyst for Wake. The senior point guard has blazing speed and is averaging 13.4 points, 5.7 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game.
The ‘under’ is 8-7 overall for Wake Forest, but the ‘over’ is 5-2 in its seven home games.
The ‘over’ is 6-4-1 overall for the ‘Canes.
The ‘under’ has cashed in five consecutive head-to-head meetings between these ACC adversaries. When these teams met in South Florida on Jan. 9, UM captured a 67-66 win but the Deacs took the cash as 5 ½-point road underdogs. Dwayne Collins dominated the paint for the winners, finishing with 23 points, 11 rebounds and three blocked shots.
When these schools last met at Lawrence-Joel Coliseum on Jan. 29 of 2008, Wake collected a 70-68 win as a 1 ½-point home favorite behind Jeff Teague’s 27 points. Smith had six points, six assists and zero turnovers for Wake, while Collins had 12 points and six boards for UM.
ESPN2 will have the telecast at 7:00 p.m. Eastern.
**Seton Hall at Villanova**
LVSC opened Villanova (19-1 SU, 15-4 ATS) as a nine-point 'chalk.'
'Nova has won 10 consecutive games, cashing tickets galore with a 9-1 spread record. The Wildcats are the last Big East team left that’s unscathed in league play through eight contests. They stroked Notre Dame 90-72 last Tuesday as 11 ½-point home favorites. Scottie Reynolds and Corey Fisher scored 17 points apiece for ‘Nova.
Seton Hall (12-7 SU, 4-9 ATS) is tied with UConn for 12th place in the Big East with identical 3-5 ledgers against conference foes. The Pirates and Huskies are only one game back of seventh-place Louisville and are one-half game behind a quartet of schools – Notre Dame, USF, Marquette and Providence -- with 4-4 marks in conference action.
Bobby Gonzalez’s team is mired in a 2-8 ATS slide. The Pirates went down Thursday in overtime at South Florida, as the Bulls prevailed 76-74 as two-point home underdogs. The Hall’s Jeremy Hazell, who is second in the Big East in scoring with a 22.5 PPG average, had a game-high 28 points against USF.
Before losing in Tampa, Seton Hall had won back-to-back home games against Louisville at Pitt. The Pirates have an RPI ranking of 57 going into this week.
Jay Wright’s squad is unbeaten in nine home games with a 7-1 spread record.
The ‘over’ is on a 12-2 run for the Wildcats. For the season, they have watched the ‘over’ go 13-6 overall, 6-2 in their home games.
The ‘over’ is 4-1 in the last five head-to-head meetings between these Big East rivals. Villanova has won seven straight against Seton Hall and is 8-3 ATS in the last 11 encounters.
Tip-off is slated for 7:00 p.m. Eastern on ESPNU.
**Michigan State at Wisconsin**
LVSC opened this game as a pick 'em affair.
Michigan State (19-3 SU, 8-13 ATS) stayed unbeaten in Big Ten play with Saturday’s 79-70 win over Northwestern, but the Spartans failed to cover the number as 13 ½-point home favorites at the Breslin Center. Durrell Summers had 24 points and 10 rebounds, while Kalin Lucas had 23 points and four assists without committing a turnover.
Since losing at Texas, Michigan St. has won 10 in a row. However, the Spartans are 1-4 ATS in their last five games. In addition to the loss to the Longhorns, they fell at North Carolina and to Florida at a tournament in Atlantic City, N.J.
Wisconsin (16-5 SU, 11-8 ATS) came up short in its upset bid Thursday at Purdue, losing 60-57 as a 9 ½-point road underdog. Junior forward Keaton Nankivil scored 25 points and had six rebounds and three steals in defeat.
Bo Ryan’s team is always nasty at home and this year is no different. Wisconsin is unbeaten in 12 home games, compiling a lucrative 7-3 spread record. The Badgers have beaten the likes of Duke, Marquette, Purdue and Ohio St. in Madison already this season.
Tom Izzo’s team is in first place in the Big Ten with a perfect 9-0 record and a three-game lead over Wisconsin, Purdue, Ohio St. and Illinois. All four of those schools are 6-3 in league play.
When these schools on Jan. 6 in East Lansing, Michigan St. beat the Badgers 54-47 as a six-point home favorite. The 101 combined points stayed well ‘under’ the 131 ½-point tally. Chris Allen had a team-high 16 points for the Spartans. Wisconsin was paced by junior forward Jon Leuer, who had 21 points, seven rebounds, two steals and a pair of blocked shots.
Leuer has missed five straight games and remains out indefinitely with a broken wrist. Leuer is averaging 15.4 points and 6.2 rebounds per game.
The ‘under’ is on an incredible 10-2 run for Wisconsin. The ‘under’ is 11-7 overall for the Badgers, 5-4 in their home games.
The ‘under’ is on a 6-2 roll for the Spartans, who have watched the ‘under’ go 11-9 overall this year.
ESPN will provide television coverage at 9:00 p.m. Eastern.
**B.E.’s Bonus Nuggets**
Attention Northwestern fans: There’s no need to hit the panic button. Although the Wildcats fell to 3-6 in Big Ten play with Saturday’s loss in East Lansing, they are still set up to finish strong with games galore remaining against the lesser-tier teams of the Big Ten. In fact, I think Bill Carmody’s club is going to finish the regular season on a 7-3 run. Four of NW’s next five games are at home and the road game is extremely winnable at Iowa. The Wildcats are 14-7 overall with an RPI of 63.
All five Cornell starters scored in double figures during Saturday’s 86-50 win over Harvard as an 8 ½-point home favorite. The Big Red stayed unbeaten in Ivy League play and handed the Crimson its first conference loss. Cornell’s RPI ranking improved to No. 33 going into this week. Harvard star Jeremy Lin scored 18 points on 6-of-9 shooting, but he had an abysmal 1/8 assists-to-turnover ratio.
My fresh top-10 rankings before Monday’s games:
1-Kansas
2-Syracuse
3-Villanova
4-Kentucky
5-Michigan St.
6-Purdue
7-Texas
8-West Va.
9-Kansas St.
10-Georgetown
vegasinsider.com.
Game of the day: Ole Miss Rebels at Kentucky Wildcats
By Marc Lawrence
A super showdown in the SEC tips off Tuesday evening on ESPN when No. 3 Kentucky (20-1, 5-1 East) hosts Mississippi (16-5, 4-3 West) at Rupp Arena in Lexington.
The Wildcats have lost only once to the Rebels in Lexington since Rupp Arena opened in the 1976-77 season.
Ups and downs
Kentucky registered its 20th win of the season in a 85-72 win over Vanderbilt Saturday, moving the Wildcats into a tie atop the SEC East standings with the Commodores at 5-1.
Forward DeMarcus Cousins registered his fourth consecutive double-double and 12th of the season, a Kentucky freshman record, with 21 points and 10 rebounds against the Commodores. Cousins is averaging 16.2 points and 9.7 rebounds a game for the season.
Just when it appeared Mississippi was on the rise, the Rebels dropped a stunning 80-73 decision to Arkansas at home as double-digit favorites on Sunday and fell out of the top 20 polls in the process.
Surprisingly, the Rebels outrebounded the Razorbacks, 45-32, including 17 from reserve Murphy Holloway. It was the first time in 12 games Ole Miss outrebounded an opponent.
Arkansas shot 48.1 percent from the floor compared to 38.2 percent of the Rebels.
Guarding the keys
It will be a dichotomy of youth versus experience in the backcourt when Kentucky's freshmen John Wall (16.9 ppg) and Eric Bledsoe (11.0 ppg) face Ole Miss veterans Chris Warren (16.7 ppg), Terrico White (15.0 ppg), and Eniel Polynice (10.6), the Rebels’ three leading scorers.
Warren and Polynice, along with key reserve guard Trevor Gaskins, all suffered crippling season-ending knee injuries last season. Mississippi is now healthy and its guard play is primed to take the school to its first NCAA Tournament berth since 2002.
Tale of the tape
The Rebels rely largely on 3-point shooting. When the shots are falling they can be extremely dangerous. When they’re not, they are suspect. Ole Miss went 6-for-22 against Arkansas and lost.
Here is how each team ranks against 347 other Division 1 teams, according to Covers.com’s statistical rankings:
Offensive Field Goal Percentage:
Kentucky (11) 49.1
Mississippi (53) 46.5
Defensive Field Goal Percentage:
Kentucky (14) 38.1
Mississippi (47) 40.3
Rebound Margin:
Kentucky (2) +10.4
Mississippi (105) +2.0
The Wildcats’ Achilles heel is from the free throw stripe.They are shooting only 68.4 percent for the season, including 67.5 percent from the line in conference play.
Tale of the tape II
South Carolina, the only team to beat Kentucky this season, may have provided the blueprint for upsetting the Wildcats. The Ole Miss film room has probably shown more clips of the Gamecocks' 68-62 victory than the whole state of South Carolina.
The three keys for the Gamecocks were:
1) Stopping the Wall - Kentucky freshman phenom John Wall was held to four points on 6-of-16 shooting.
2) Man the boards - South Carolina outrebounded the Wildcats by a slim but critical 44-40 margin, because ...
3) Opportunity knocks twice - The Gamecocks scored 22 second-chance points to Kentucky's nine.
Stats are one thing, but the bottom line is the host Gamecocks outhustled the 'Cats at every turn, easier said than done at Rupp Arena.
Did you know?
Kentucky bounced Ole Miss, 71-58, in the donkey round in last year’s SEC tourney.
The Wildcats are 21-4 straight up at home when hosting the Rebels, but only 3-7 ATS the last 10.
Mississippi is 5-1 ATS as a visitor this season and 8-2-1 ATS in its last 11 games as a conference road dog.
(25) Ole Miss (16-5, 11-6 ATS) at (4) Kentucky (20-1, 10-9 ATS)
Kentucky goes after its 15th straight home victory when it welcomes the Rebels to Rupp Arena for an SEC contest.
Ole Miss saw its three-game SU and four-game ATS winning streak halted on Sunday, losing 80-73 to Arkansas as a whopping 11½-point home favorite. The Rebels, who got outscored 46-34 in the second half, shot just 38.2 percent from the field (6-for-22 from three-point range) and allowed Arkansas to make 48.1 percent of its shots. Ole Miss is now 4-3 SU and ATS in SEC action, but 3-1 SU and ATS when visiting conference rivals.
The Wildcats took over the top spot in the polls to start last week, then promptly suffered their first loss of the season Tuesday, falling 68-62 at South Carolina as a seven-point road favorite. However, they bounced back nicely on Saturday, ending Vanderbilt’s 10-game winning streak with an 85-72 rout as an 8½-point home favorite. John Calipari’s team has alternated ATS wins and losses in its last seven games.
Kentucky is now 14-0 at Rupp Arena, outscoring visitors by 20 points per game (86-66) while also holding a shooting edge of 50.1 percent to 38.1 percent. Despite those advantages, the Wildcats are just 6-6 ATS on their court. Meanwhile, Ole Miss is 7-3 SU and 8-2 ATS in road/neutral-site games, putting up 75.2 ppg (45.5 percent) and yielding 69.5 ppg (38.6 percent).
These teams met twice last year, once in the regular season at Ole Miss (85-80 Rebels win as a 9½-point home underdog) and once in the SEC tournament (71-58 Kentucky victory as an eight-point chalk). Prior to last year’s loss in Oxford, Miss., the Wildcats had won nine in a row against Ole Miss, and they’re still 96-12 SU in 108 all-time meetings, going 4-2 ATS in the last six.
Despite Sunday’s loss to Arkansas, Ole Miss is still on a plethora of positive pointspread surges, including 4-1 overall (all in the SEC), 6-1 on the highway, 5-2 against winning teams, 9-4 after a SU defeat and 11-4 after a non-cover. Kentucky is 4-1 ATS both in its last five at Rupp Arena and its last five on Tuesday, but the ‘Cats have failed to cover in 13 of their last 19 conference games. Also, they haven’t had consecutive spread-covers in SEC play this year.
The over is 8-2 in the Rebels’ last 10 Tuesday outings, but otherwise they’re on “under” runs of 4-1 overall (all in conference), 10-4 on the road and 5-1-1 against winning teams. Also, the under is 5-1-1 in the last seven meetings between these rivals. Conversely, Kentucky has topped the total in nine of its last 12 overall and seven of its last eight at home.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NONE
(5) Michigan State (19-5, 8-13 ATS) at (16) Wisconsin (16-5, 11-8 ATS)
Michigan State puts its 10-game overall and nine-game conference winning streaks on the line when it pays a visit to the Kohl Center for a Big Ten battle with the 16th-ranked Badgers.
The Spartans, already off to their best Big Ten start in school history, survived a scare against Northwestern on Saturday, pulling away late for a 79-70 victory. However, they never threatened to cover as a massive 13-point home chalk, and Tom Izzo’s troops are now 1-4 ATS in their last five games after starting conference play with five straight spread-covers. Michigan State is 4-0 SU and 3-1 ATS in Big Ten road games, and for the season, it is 6-3 (5-4 ATS) outside of East Lansing.
Wisconsin is coming off Thursday’s last-second 60-57 loss at 10th-ranked Purdue, though it cashed easily as a 9½-point road underdog to snap an 0-3 ATS slide. The Badgers have followed a predictable pattern through nine conference contests, going win-win-loss three different times. Bo Ryan’s squad is 4-0 (2-2 ATS) at home in Big Ten action, the last three being single-digit victories, and Wisconsin has not lost consecutive games all year.
Aside from giving up 70 points in a pair of victories over Northwestern, Michigan State is yielding just 58.4 ppg in its other seven conference wins, giving up 64 points or fewer in all seven. That includes a season-low 47 points in a 54-47 home victory over Wisconsin on Jan. 6. Meanwhile, the Badgers have given up 60 points or less in 10 of their last 12 contests, and they’re holding league rivals to just 55.3 ppg.
Michigan State barely cashed as a six-point favorite in last month’s seven-point home win over Wisconsin, improving to 6-2 ATS in the last eight meetings, including 3-0 ATS in the last three. However, the home team has won 10 consecutive regular-season clashes in this rivalry, and the Spartans are 0-6 SU and 1-5 ATS in their last six trips to the Kohl Center. Their last win in Madison was Feb. 27, 2001 – a 51-47 victory as a 3½-point road chalk. Also, the home team is 8-1 ATS in the last nine meetings.
Along with its current 1-4 ATS slump, Michigan State has failed to cash in 10 of its last 14 against winning teams and is 6-19-2 ATS in its last 27 on Tuesday. Wisconsin is on ATS upticks of 7-3 at home and 5-1 after a SU defeat, but it is 3-14 ATS in its last 17 on Tuesday.
The Spartans are riding “under” streaks of 6-2 overall, 5-1 on the highway, 15-5 within the Big 10, 16-5 on Tuesday and 6-2 versus winning teams. The Badgers are on “under” runs of 10-2 overall, 39-13 after a spread-cover and 6-2 against winning teams. Finally, the under has cashed in six of the last eight clashes between these rivals, with last month’s battle at Michigan State staying well below the 131½-point posted total.
ATS ADVANTAGE: WISCONSIN and UNDER
NCAAB News and Notes
Tuesday, February 2
Information on the best of Tuesday's college basketball games........
LaSalle lost three of last four games, with losses by 4-2-12 points; they lost last four games vs Rhode Island by 3-3-6-10ot points. Underdogs are 4-3 vs spread in series. URI won five of last six games; they're 2-1 on A-14 road, winning by 18 at Fordham, 1 at Dayton. Atlantic 14 home underdogs are 5-6 against the spread.
Central Florida won eight of last nine games vs East Carolina, winning three of four here, with wins by 18-5-5 points. Knights lost last three games by 37-22-5 points, scoring 50.7 ppg; they're 0-5 in C-USA when they score less than 77 points. Conference USA home teams are 16-24 vs spread this season. ECU lost all three of its conference home games.
Wake Forest (+5) lost 67-66 at Miami Jan 9, shooting 36.2% from floor; Deacons are 3-0 at home in ACC, winning by 8-2-12 points (but 1-2 as home favorite). Miami is 1-4 since then, snapping skid with 82-75 win over Va Tech Sunday; they're 1-3 as ACC road underdog, losing games on road by 1-15-16-22 points. ACC home favorites are 16-17 vs spread/
Villanova is 8-0 in Big East, covering last three games; they're 2-2 vs the spread as home favorites, winning at home by 27-2-5-18 points- they've got games with Georgetown/West Va coming up, better not look past a Seton Hall outfit that is 0-3 on Big East road, losing by 8-12-2 points. Pirates are 0-4 against the spread as a Big East underdog this year.
Northwestern (+6) upset Michigan 68-62 Jan 10, making 11-24 from arc in rallying from 9-point halftime deficit; Wildcats won last two at home, over Purdue/Illinois, but are just 3-6 overall in Big 11.Michigan is 1-3 in last four games, losing by 6-10-1 pts; they're 1-3 on Big 11 road, with losses by 6 at Indiana, 6 at Wisconsin, 10 at Purdue (won at Penn St).
Drexel won six of last nine games, winning 52-49 (-5.5) at Towson, in a game where teams combined to go 1-21 from arc; Dragons covered four of five as CAA home favorite, winning home games by 2-3-21-13 points with a loss to Wm Mary. Towson covered three of last four as road dog in CAA, losing away games by 9-16-3-59 points (beat Del/UNCW).
Quick turnaround for Ole Miss team that had to play Sunday night tilt because of bad weather, then lost as 12-point home favorite; Rebels are 3-1 on SEC road, losing by hoop in OT at Tennessee, winning at LSU, Georgia, Auburn. Kentucky is 2-1 as SEC home favorite, winning home games by 8 over Georgia, 31 over Arkansas, 13 over Vanderbilt.
Syracuse won last seven games, but was down 18 in first half at DePaul Saturday, before escaping Chicago with 59-57 win; Orange are 1-2-1 as Big East home favorite, winning by 17-5-17 points, with a loss to Pitt. Providence lost three of last four games; they covered three of last four as road underdog, losing away games by 15-30-4 points.
Rutgers upset Notre Dame Saturday for first Big East win (and cover) in nine league games; Knights are 1-3 as home underdog, losing by 7-16-26 points on its home court- they allowed 83.8 ppg in last eight games. St John's last three games by 16-10-10 points; they're 0-4 on Big East road, 1-1 as Big East favorite. Big East home underdogs are 9-13 vs spread.
Home team won last six Kansas State-Nebraska games; Wildcats lost last three trips to Lincoln by 11-7-22 points- underdogs are 4-2 vs spread in last six series games here. K-State's last three games were all decided by four or less points; they're 2-1 on Big 12 road, with wins by 2-6 points. Cornhuskers are 1-5 in Big 12, 0-3-1 vs spread as a Big 12 underdog.
SMU won last three games, upsetting Memphis in last game; Mustangs are 3-1 as C-USA underdog, with conference losses by 4-7-1- they led UAB by 24 with 14:30 left in last game they lost. Southern Mississippi covered its last five games, winning last two by 15-18 points after a 0-4 start in league play. C-USA home favorites are 11-14 vs spread.
Drake won seven of last eight games, covering three of last four as road dog in MVC; Bulldogs lost 67-59 (-1) at home to Bradley Dec 29, with Drake shooting 34% from floor, 9-32 from arc. Bradley lost last couple games by 5-19 points; they're 1-3 as MVC home favorite, 3-2 at home in Valley, with home wins by 6-18-10. MVC home favorites are 17-19.
Wisconsin is 4-0 at home in Big 11, 2-2 as home favorite, with wins by 22-7-6-8 points; Badgers (+6) shot 33% from the floor, 5-23 from arc in 54-47 loss at Michigan State Jan 6. Spartans outscored them 20-8 from foul line in that game. Spartans are 9-0 in Big 11, winning last two road games by single point each. Big 11 home favorites are 16-18 vs spread.
Today's Best Match Up
By: Freddy Willis
Mississippi Rebels at Kentucky Wildcats (-10.5, 153.5)
With the Super Bowl just days away we have already released our super bowl picks for the big game! However, on Tuesday we have another super match up in its own right. It will be another great match up on ESPN in college basketball will tip off tonight between two SEC rivals. It’s #3 Kentucky vs. Mississippi. Kentucky have only lost once in Rupp Arena to Mississippi since it opened up in the 70’s and they’ll try to keep that streak alive tonight.
Where is Kentucky going?
Kentucky sits atop the SEC East standings at 5-1 and are 20-1 overall on the season. Where are they going though? John Wall was in the press with some interesting comments about his head coach. Both say it’s not a distraction but many know John Wall is a one and done type player. He most likely will leave for the NBA draft at years end.
The other freshman that has been extremely impressive is Forward DeMarcus Cousins who registered his 4th double-double in a row. He has twelve on the season, which is a Kentucky freshmen record. He had 21 points and 10 rebounds against Vanderbilt in his last game. He is averaging 16.2 and 9.7 on the season.
The key to where Kentucky goes is on the shoulders of the two freshmen. Wall and Cousins will make their impact on the court if they want.
Mississippi?
Ole Miss was on the rise, but then they dropped to bottom feeder Arkansas by 7 points at home when they were double digit favorites. That knocked them out of the top 20 polls and forced them into being double digit under dogs here tonight.
Ironically it was the first time the Rebels out-rebounded an opponent in 12 games as Murphy Holloway came off the bench to grab 17 boards. Miss held a 45-32 rebound edge but it still was not enough as Arkansas shot 48.1% from the field while Ole Miss struggled at 38.2%.
Matchups:
The match ups will be experience vs. youth on Tuesday night. It will be two freshmen in John Wall and Eric Bledsoe facing off against Ole Miss Veterans Chris Warren, Terrico White, and Eniel Polynice who combine for 42.3 points per game.
Miss is finally healthy as both guards in Warren and Polynice fell to season ending knee injuries a year ago. There is no shock that Miss was just in the Top 20 polls and they should return there with a big time road victory tonight.
Stopping Mr. Wall
John Wall made a few comments on how Calipari gave him some criticism for recent play. Calipari was critical of Wall’s play after a loss to South Carolina. Wall said, "I didn't think I played that bad. I don't know what to expect. [Calipari's] probably going to say I played bad (against Vandy), too. I just try not to listen to him and go out and play basketball and try and help my team win."
Wall pulled a 180 on Monday and it appears at least on the surface that his comments were simply out of frustration for his recent play. "I love Coach Cal, he loves me and we're just trying to get everything down pat," Wall told reporters. "We're cool where we're at."
Remember Wall originally was going to play at Memphis but changed his plans and committed to Kentucky because of Calipari. The two have a competitive relationship and I personally do not see it as a problem moving forward. If anything it’s only going to improve the play of Wall who obviously cares what his coach thinks. I really look for Wall to start stepping up in league play in the near future.
Can Miss win?
Absolutely! The Rebels shoot a lot of three’s and they rely on them to win. If they can get hot they can beat Kentucky, but if they are off at all it could be a long night.
Kentucky has shown issues in defending the perimeter as they are 217th in the nation in three point % defense. They actually have played worse at home giving up 36.5% but have played extremely well in conference play giving up just 31.5% shooting from beyond the arch. The Wildcats’ Achilles heel is from the free throw stripe.They are shooting only 68.4 percent for the season, including 67.5 percent from the line in conference play.
Key Trends:
Mississippi
• Rebels are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600. • Rebels are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 road games. • Rebels are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. • Rebels are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall. • Rebels are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. Southeastern. • Rebels are 11-4 ATS in their last 15 games following a ATS loss. • Rebels are 11-4 ATS in their last 15 games as an underdog. • Rebels are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games as an underdog of 7.0-12.5. • Rebels are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record. • Rebels are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games as a road underdog of 7.0-12.5. • Rebels are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 games following a S.U. loss. • Rebels are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 Tuesday games. • Rebels are 38-18 ATS in their last 56 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Kentucky
• Wildcats are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Tuesday games. • Wildcats are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games. • Wildcats are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as a home favorite of 7.0-12.5. • Wildcats are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as a home favorite. • Wildcats are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. • Wildcats are 6-13 ATS in their last 19 vs. Southeastern. • Wildcats are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS win.
Tips and Trends
Mississippi Rebels at Kentucky Wildcats
Rebels: Mississippi is coming off a home league loss to Arkansas in their last game. That loss was brutal for the Rebels, as they were favored by 11.5 points in that game. The Rebels are 16-5 SU and 11-6 ATS this season. Mississippi has played well away from home this season, as they are 7-3 SU and 8-2 ATS. The Rebels are 3-1 ATS as the listed underdog this season, with today marking only the 2nd time this season they've been a double digit underdog. The Rebels have scored more than 70 PTS in 17 of their 21 games this season. Mississippi has 5 players averaging double digits in PTS this season. Guards Chris Warren and Terrico White both average more than 15 PPG, and combine for 31.7 PPG. Warren and White combine for exactly 5 three pointers per game. The Rebels have struggled mightily in Kentucky, as they've only won once there since 1998.
Rebels are 6-1 ATS last 7 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Under is 4-1 last 5 overall.
Key Injuries - F Reginald Buckner (ankle) is doubtful.
G Will Bogan (hand) is out.
PROJECTED SCORE: 74 (Side of the Day)
Wildcats (-10.5, O/U 153): Kentucky bounced back from their lone defeat this season quite impressively, beating Vanderbilt by double digits. The Wildcats are 20-1 SU and ranked #4 in the nation. Kentucky is 14-0 SU and 6-6 ATS at home this season. The Wildcats are 5-7 ATS as a double digit favorite this season. Kentucky has yet to win more than 2 games in a row ATS this entire season. Kentucky is so explosive on offense, as they've scored more than 70 PTS in 11 of their past 12 games. 4 Wildcats average more than 11 PTS for Kentucky, including star G John Wall. Wall averages nearly 17 PPG, and also leads the team in assists at 6.8 APG. F DeMarcus Cousins nearly averages a double double, with 16 PPG and 9.7 PRG this season. Cousins has had 12 double doubles this season, and has registered 4 consecutive entering tonight's contest. The Wildcats have held 6 of their past 8 opponents to 70 PTS or fewer.
Wildcats are 4-1 ATS last 5 home games.
Over is 7-1 last 8 home games.
Key Injuries - None.
PROJECTED SCORE: 76
Michigan St. Spartans at Wisconsin Badgers
Spartans: Michigan St. has won 10 straight games in route to a season record of 19-3 SU. The Spartans are ranked 5th in the nation, with a major reason being their spotless conference record of 9-0 SU. This undefeated league record is the best league start in Michigan St. history. Michigan St. is 5-2 SU and 3-4 ATS on the road this season. The Spartans are 1-2 both SU and ATS this season as the listed underdog. The Spartans will certainly be focused for their game tonight, as they've lost the past 6 meetings SU in Madison, Wisconsin. Michigan St. has won 12 of their last 13 conference road games, yet haven't won at the Kohl Center since 2001. The Spartans average nearly 77 PPG this season, but have been held under that total in 7 of their past 8 games. Reigning Big Ten Player of the Year G Kalin Lucas leads a group of 4 Spartans averaging double digit in PTS with 16 PPG this season.
Spartans are 4-10 ATS last 14 games vs. a team with a winning SU record.
Under is 5-1 last 6 road games.
Key Injuries - None.
PROJECTED SCORE: 58
Badgers (-2, O/U 123.5): Wisconsin is perfect at home, as they are 12-0 SU this season. The Badgers are 16-5 SU on the season, which ranks them 16th in the country. Wisconsin has a knack for winning games ATS, as they are 11-8 on the season. The Badgers are 7-3 ATS at home this season, including consecutive ATS defeats heading into today's match up. The Badgers have some revenge fresh on their minds, as they've lost the previous 2 games SU against the Spartans, including earlier this month. With their ball control offense, the Badgers have failed to score more than 60 PTS in 4 of their past 5 games. 3 Badgers average double digits in PTS, led by G Trevor Hughes. Hughes leads the team with 16 PPG this season, including more than 2 three pointers per game. F Jon Leuer averages 15.4 PPG and a team high 6.2 RPG this season. Defensively, the Badgers have held 10 of their past 12 opponents to 60 PTS or fewer.
Badgers are 7-3 ATS last 10 home games.
Under is 7-1 last 8 games vs. a team with a winning percentage above .600.
Key Injuries - F Jon Leuer (wrist) is out.
PROJECTED SCORE: 60 (UNDER - Total of the Day)