(9) Villanova (23-5, 17-10 ATS) at Cincinnati (16-12, 7-16 ATS)
Villanova returns to the court for the first time since Saturday’s humiliating loss at Syracuse when it travels to Fifth Third Arena for a Big East battle with the Bearcats, who are in need of a marquee win to boost their Tournament resume.
The Wildcats jumped out to a quick lead at Syracuse but couldn’t sustain it and eventually got rocked 95-77 as a 4½-point road underdog. Villanova has followed up a 12-game winning streak – including nine consecutive Big East victories – by going 3-4 over its last seven contests, including 1-3 SU and ATS on the road. Also, the Wildcats are just 2-6 ATS in their last eight games after starting the season by cashing in 15 of their first 19 contests.
Cincinnati has failed to gain any traction since opening the Big East season with consecutive wins over UConn and Rutgers, dropping nine of its last 15 games (3-11 ATS in lined action). On Saturday, the Bearcats went to No. 8 West Virginia and built a six-point halftime lead, only to fall 74-68, though they did cover as a 13-point road underdog. Cincy is 5-3 in Big East home games, but 0-8 ATS. Going back to Dec. 10, Cincinnati has failed to cover in nine straight lined contests at Fifth Third Arena.
The home team has won the last three meetings in this budding rivalry and is 4-0 ATS in four clashes since Cincinnati joined the Big East in 2005-06. Last year, Villanova rolled 71-50 as an 11½-point chalk. The Wildcats have won three of the four meetings (2-2 ATS), all as a favorite.
Not only is ‘Nova 1-4 ATS in its last five games (all in conference), but it has failed to cover in five of its last seven versus winning teams. Similarly, Cincinnati is mired in a slew of pointspread slumps, including 7-20 overall, 0-9 at home, 5-18 versus Big East foes, 1-10 after a SU loss, 0-4 after a spread-cover, 4-14 against winning teams and 1-4 on Tuesday.
The high-scoring Wildcats are on “over” streaks of 16-6 overall, 6-1 on the road, 6-2 after a non-cover and 7-2 after a SU defeat. The over is also 4-1 in Cincy’s last five at home, but the Bearcats are also on “under” runs of 5-2 on Tuesday, 7-3 after a defeat and 9-4-1 following a non-cover. Finally, the last three meetings in this rivalry have stayed low.
ATS ADVANTAGE: VILLANOVA
(13) Vanderbilt (22-6, 14-12 ATS) at Florida (20-9, 13-11 ATS)
The Commodores hit the road for the second time in three days when they head to the O’Connell Center looking to damage Florida’s Big Dance hopes in a key SEC clash.
Vanderbilt suffered a heartbreaking two-point home loss to then-No. 2 Kentucky on Feb. 20, but it rebounded last week with consecutive league wins over Georgia at home (96-94 in overtime on Thursday) and Arkansas on the road (89-72 on Saturday). In the victory over the Razorbacks, the Commodores cashed as a two-point road favorite, but they’re still just 3-6 ATS in their last nine games.
The Gators ran their winning streak to three in a row with last Tuesday’s 75-62 home rout of No. 19 Tennessee to move off the Tournament bubble. But they got right back on that bubble Saturday by losing 78-76 at Georgia as a two-point road favorite. Although Florida has failed to cover in four of its last six games (following a 6-1 ATS run), Billy Donovan’s squad is still 9-3 SU in its last 12 conference games.
The Commodores are 8-5 away from home (7-5 ATS in lined games), including 5-2 SU and ATS in SEC road games (with the winner covering the spread in all seven games). The Gators are 13-3 at the O’Connell Center (6-6 ATS), including six straight conference home wins (4-2 ATS) since losing to Kentucky 89-77 in their first league contest in Gainesville.
Vanderbilt had little trouble with Florida when these teams met in Nashville on Jan. 9, winning 95-87 as a 5½-point home favorite. That ended the Gators’ two-game SU and four-game ATS winning streaks in this rivalry. Florida is still 7-3 SU in the last 10 meetings (6-3 ATS in the last nine), and it has cashed in five of the last seven clashes in Gainesville.
The Commodores have failed to cover the spread in four straight games when coming off an ATS triumph, but they’re on positive pointspread rolls of 5-2 on the highway (all in the SEC), 9-3 on Tuesday and 9-4 versus winning teams. Florida is 6-2 ATS in its last eight games against winning teams, but 3-7 ATS in its last 10 on Tuesday and 6-15 ATS in its last 21 after a SU defeat.
Vanderbilt, which averages 79.1 ppg, are on “over” runs of 10-2 overall, 10-2 on the road, 20-7 in SEC play and 7-2 after a SU victory. The Gators have topped the total in four of their last five SEC outings and 19 of 28 after a SU defeat, but the under is 12-5 in their last 17 home games. Additionally, four of the last five series battles at Florida have stayed under the total.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NONE
Georgia Tech (19-9, 13-8-1 ATS) at Clemson (20-8, 13-12 ATS)
Two ACC squads looking to enhance their March credentials hook up at Littlejohn Coliseum, where Clemson hosts the Yellow Jackets.
Georgia Tech bounced back from a tough two-point loss at Maryland by taking out Boston College 73-68 on Saturday, but failed to cover as a 7½-point home favorite. The Yellow Jackets are just 3-4 in their last seven games (2-4-1 ATS), and they’ve lost five straight ACC road games (2-2-1 ATS). However, three of those five were two-point road setbacks. For the season, Georgia Tech is 3-7 in true road games (5-4-1 ATS).
The Tigers continued their late-season surge with Sunday’s 53-50 come-from-behind victory at Florida State as a five-point road underdog. Clemson has won four of its last five games overall and five of its last seven, including four straight home wins. However, the Tigers are just 4-7 ATS in their last 11 (all in the ACC), alternating spread-covers in their last eight outings. Clemson is 13-2 and 9-3 ATS at Littlejohn Coliseum, where it outscores visitors by nearly 17 ppg (76.3-59.4).
Clemson went to Atlanta on Jan. 19 and lost 66-64 to the Yellow Jackets as a one-point road underdog, which kick-started a three-game losing skid that preceded the Tigers’ current 5-2 run. Georgia Tech has won the last two meetings (including a five-point victory as an 8½-point underdog in last year’s ACC tournament), but the home team is 7-1 SU and 6-2 ATS in the last eight regular-season clashes, including Clemson’s 73-59 home win as a 13-point chalk last season.
Also in this rivalry, the favorite is 5-2 ATS in the last seven, with the SU winner covering the spread in each of those contests.
Georgia Tech carries ATS trends of 17-8-1 overall, 9-4-1 on the highway, 3-1-1 after a SU victory and 5-1-1 following a non-cover. Clemson has cashed in nine of 11 at home and five of seven on Tuesday, but it is 1-5 ATS in its last six after a SU victory and 0-4 ATS in its last four after a non-cover.
The under is on runs of 5-2 for the Jackets on Tuesday, 5-1 for the Jackets after a non-cover, 13-6 for the Tigers overall, 19-7 for the Tigers at home and 5-1 for the Tigers versus winning teams. Also, the last two series meetings at Clemson have stayed low.
ATS ADVANTAGE: CLEMSON and UNDER
Super Tuesday
By Brian Edwards
From those schools like Duke, Purdue and Kansas St. who are vying for a No. 1 seed to schools looking to wrap up at-large invites like Marquette, Louisville and Florida, the pressure is on to collect as many wins as possible down the stretch. The Gators, fresh off a heartbreaking loss at underrated Georgia, return to the court tonight vs. Vandy.
Cincinnati is in desperation mode when it hosts Villanova, while Marquette and Louisville also square off in a crucial Big East showdown. Let's look at these three contests and much more on tonight's college hoops card that has 27 board games, including the opening-round games in several small conference tournaments.
**Vanderbilt at Florida**
Las Vegas Sports Consultants opened Florida (20-9 straight up, 13-11 against the spread) as a 2 ½-point favorite. As of early this morning, most betting shops had UF favored by three with a total of 146 1/2.
Billy Donovan’s team saw its three-game winning streak snapped Saturday at Stegeman Coliseum in Athens. Georgia held off the Gators 78-76 to take the cash as a two-point home underdog. UF’s Chandler Parsons scored a game-high 29 points and nearly led his team back from a 45-30 halftime deficit. The Gators easily covered the spread for second-half wagers in which they were four-point favorites, equating to plus 11 for the game when considering the 15-point deficit. Kenny Boynton drained 6-of-9 shots from 3-point range and finished with 22 points.
Vanderbilt (22-6 SU, 14-12 ATS) has won five of its last six games, although we should note its shaky 3-6 spread record in its last nine games. The Commodores are coming off a dominant performance Saturday at Arkansas, where they destroyed the Razorbacks by an 89-72 count as two-point road favorites. Jeffery Taylor had a team-high 18 points for Vandy, while A.J. Ogilvy had 14 points, six rebounds and a pair of blocked shots in just 14 minutes of playing time due to foul trouble.
UF is 13-3 SU and 6-6 ATS at home this year. The Gators have lost to South Alabama, Kentucky and Xavier at The O-Dome.
Kevin Stallings’ squad is 11-3 in SEC play, leaving it one game back of Kentucky in the SEC East. However, the ‘Cats won both head-to-head meetings and would therefore win the tiebreaker. UF is 9-5 in league play, leaving it in a third-place tie with Tennessee in the East.
Vandy owns a 5-1 record both SU and ATS in six games as a road underdog. The ‘Dores have won at Ole Miss, at Tennessee, at South Carolina, at Alabama and at Saint Mary’s.
Florida has posted a 4-3 spread record in seven games as single-digit home ‘chalk.’
The ‘over’ is on a 10-2 run for Vandy in its last 12 games and is 16-8 overall.
The ‘under’ is 11-9 overall for the Gators, 5-4 in their home games.
When these schools met at Memorial Gym in Nashville back on Jan. 9, Vandy captured a 95-87 win as a six-point home favorite. The 182 combined points leaped ‘over’ the 141-point total. Ogilvy paced the Commodores with 24 points and eight rebounds, while Jermaine Beal added 22 points and five assists. Boynton had 28 points for the Gators, while Walker added 22 points and six assists.
ESPN will provide television coverage at 7:00 p.m. Eastern.
**Villanova at Cincinnati**
LVSC opened Villanova (23-5 SU, 17-10 ATS) as a four-point favorite. As of early this morning, most spots had 'Nova as a 3 1/2-point 'chalk' with a total of 149.
Cincinnati (16-12 SU, 7-16 ATS) has won 12 of its 15 home games, but it has an atrocious 1-9 ATS record at home. The Bearcats have failed to cover in nine consecutive home assignments.
Mickey Cronin’s team is looking to bounce back from Saturday’s 74-68 loss at West Va. The Bearcats covered the spread as 13-point underdogs, but they couldn’t maintain a six-point halftime lead and get what would’ve been a monster road win to improve their profile.
Cincy is 7-9 in the Big East and has an RPI of 59. With a pair of wins over UConn and victories over Vandy and Maryland on a neutral court, the Bearcats still have hopes of garnering an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. With that said, they are most likely “out” if today was Selection Sunday, but a win over ‘Nova (RPI: 9) would obviously put them back into the conversation.
Jay Wright’s team has lost three of its last four games and is also mired in a 2-6 ATS slide. The Wildcats took woodshed treatment Saturday night at the Carrier Dome, where the ‘Cuse cruised to a 95-77 victory in front of a record crowd. The Orange covered the number as a 4 ½-point home favorite.
Villanova is 3-3 versus the number in six games as a road favorite. In 11 road games (regardless of 'dog or 'chalk'), the Wildcats are 6-5 ATS.
The ‘under’ is 12-10 overall for Cincy, but the ‘over’ is 6-3 in its nine home games with a total.
The ‘over’ is 17-10 overall for ‘Nova, but the ‘under’ is 5-4 in its last nine games.
ESPN2 will have the telecast at 7:00 p.m. Eastern.
**Louisville at Marquette**
LVSC opened Marquette (19-9 SU, 14-7-1 ATS) as a three-point favorite. As of early this morning, most books had the Golden Eagles at two with a total of 137 1/2.
Louisville (19-10 SU, 9-15 ATS) has won six of its last eight games to most likely put itself in line for an NCAA Tournament invite. A win in this spot would almost certainly seal that deal. The Cardinals have won three straight on the road, including Sunday’s 78-76 victory at UConn. They cooled off the red-hot Huskies with the outright win as four-point underdogs. Samardo Samuels led four U of L scorers in double figures with 14 points.
Buzz Williams’ squad has won three in a row and eight of its last nine, including Sunday’s 84-83 win at Seton Hall as a 2 ½-point road underdog. The Golden Eagles had to go into overtime for the third straight game in order to garner the ‘W.’ Lazar Hayward was the catalyst with 23 points, eight rebounds and three blocked shots.
Marquette is 12-3 SU and 5-4 ATS at home this year.
Louisville has beaten Marquette four straight times and in seven of the last eight head-to-head encounters. The Cards are 5-3 ATS in those eight games.
The ‘under’ is 5-2 in Louisville’s last seven games, but the ‘over’ is 14-9 overall for the Cardinals this year.
The ‘over’ is 12-10 overall for Marquette, but the ‘under’ is 5-4 in its home outings.
The 'under' has cashed in four consecutive head-to-head meetings between these schools and six of the last seven.
Tip-off is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. Eastern on ESPNU.
**B.E.’s Bonus Nuggets**
Everybody said the right things and head coach Matt Painter refused to make any excuses but, sadly, it was clear – and I mean crystal -- that Purdue is no longer a viable candidate to go to the Final Four without junior forward Robbie Hummel. As we discussed last week, Hummel is now out for the season with a torn ACL. Without him, the Boilermakers lost a 53-44 decision at home to Michigan St. on Sunday. If Purdue plays its best basketball the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament, yes, it can still be a Sweet 16 squad. But that’s if the Boilers are clicking on all cylinders. In other words, their for room for error(s) has been dramatically reduced.
Minnesota invades Ann Arbor tonight in dire need of a win. The Gophers were one-point road favorites at most spots this morning. They will face Michigan on the Big Ten Network at 7:00 p.m. Eastern. Tubby Smith’s team has covered the spread in four straight games, including Saturday’s 62-60 win at Illinois as a three-point underdog.
The ‘under’ has cashed in eight consecutive Michigan home games.
Ohio St. can clinch the No. 1 seed in the Big Ten Tournament with a home win tonight vs. Illinois. The Buckeyes have been installed as 9 ½-point favorites as of early this morning. They already thumped the Illini this year, capturing a 72-53 win as two-point road favorites on Valentine’s Day.
LVSC opened Clemson as a five-point home favorite for tonight’s game vs. Ga. Tech. However, the Tigers were rich seven-point ‘chalk’ as of early this morning. They are 9-3 ATS at home. Oliver Purnell’s team has won four of its last five games, including Sunday’s come-from behind win at FSU, 53-50, as a five-point underdog.
Three Predictions:
1-Georgia is going to beat Kentucky outright tomorrow night in Athens.
2-Xavier is going to make it to the Elite Eight, maybe further.
3-Cornell is going to the Sweet 16.
vegasinsider.com
Game of the day: Georgia Tech at Clemson
By Marc Lawrence
A battle for third place in the ACC tips off when Clemson (20-8, 8-6) hosts Georgia Tech (19-9, 7-7) at Littllejohn Coliseum. The Yellow Jackets defeated the Tigers 66-64 six weeks ago in Atlanta.
Tiger pause
After opening the 2009 season on a 15-3 note, and despite its 53-50 at Florida State on Sunday, Clemson is just 5-5 in its last 10 games.
The Tigers earned their first pointspread cover as a dog this season (1-5 against the spread) with the win over the Seminoles. They return to the comfy confines of home Tuesday where they are 13-2 straight up and 9-3 ATS this season – including 8-0 SU and 7-1 ATS against foes off a win.
Fast starts and slow finishes have become the norm at Clemson. In seven seasons under head coach Oliver Purnell, the Tigers are 93-33 in their first 18 games of the campaign, but only 44-52 from Game 19 out.
The Tigers grabbed 20 victories for the fourth consecutive season, marking the longest streak in school history. Clemson is in contention for one of the top four places that earn byes in the ACC Tournament. They hold the tiebreaker advantage over the Seminoles.
Clemson star Trevor Booker told reporters that he and his teammates “want that bye in the ACC Tournament” but he also conceded that he thinks his team has, with the win over Florida State, secured its spot in the NCAA Tournament.
Tech sting
A 13-win team last season, Georgia Tech was picked to finish in third in the ACC this season, thanks to arguably the strongest recruiting class in the nation and four returning starters.
As might be expected with such a young team, the Techsters have developed a true home-and-away dichotomy. They’re 14-1 at Alexander Memorial Coliseum, including 6-1 in ACC games, but only 1-6 on the conference road.
Paul Hewitt’s siblings have been involved in eight games decided by four or fewer points this season. They are 4-4 in those contests. They have managed to pull off two underdog victories in ACC action this year, both as 7-point underdogs at Duke and at North Carolina.
A win tonight would be Tech’s 20th of the season and likely wrap up an NCAA Tournament berth for the Jackets.
‘X’ marks the spot
Georgia Tech’s dynamic duo is lead by junior F Gani Lewal (13.6 ppg) and freshman C Derrick Favors (11.6 ppg). The Yellow Jackets are really a handful when Iman Shumpert gets going.
The sophomore guard notched 24 points and five steals against Boston College over the weekend and after the game, his coach couldn’t stop gushing about Shumpert.
“Iman is the X factor,” Paul Hewitt told the Atlanta-Journal Constitution. “He’s 6-5, 215 [pounds], can shoot the ball, has great quickness, and when he forces [defenders] to help everybody [else] gets easier shots, and ... he and [Derrick Favors] routinely lead in deflections.”
Tech is 6-3 straight up and 5-3 against the number when Shumpert hits double digits in points.
Tale of the tape
Statistical rankings, here is how each team ranks against 374 other teams in three key stat categories:
Offensive Field Goal Percentage:
Clemson (76) 45.4
Georgia Tech (68) 45.7
Defensive Field Goal Percentage:
Clemson (85) 41.4
Georgia Tech (5) 37.8
Rebound Margin:
Clemson (65) +3.4
Georgia Tech (19) +6.2
Clemson struggles from the arc (ranked 200th), converting 33.6 percent of its 3-pointers.
The Yellow Jackets rank 70th in the land, hitting 36.6 percent from 3-point land.
Coaches’ corner
In his nine seasons with the Yellow Jackets, Hewitt is 78-58 ATS when taking points, including 60-43 in the ACC.
During Purnell’s tenure with the Tigers, he is 55-60-3 ATS in conference play. He is also 5-12-1 ATS in games immediately following a straight up underdog win.
History says
• Clemson has won its last home game of the season each of the last five years.
• Georgia Tech is 1-3 SU and ATS this season against ACC opponents with same season revenge.
• The home team is 5-1 SU and ATS the last six meetings in this series.
NCAAB News and Notes
Tuesday, March 1
Information on the best of Tuesday's college basketball games.
Cincinnati lost five of last seven games; they're 5-3 at home in Big East, losing home games by 3 to Pitt, 17 to Syracuse 3 to Marquette. Big East home underdogs of 3 or less points are 6-5 vs spread. Villanova is 1-3 in last four road games; they're 2-6 vs spread in last eight games, 2-1 as Big East road favorite- their road wins are by 2-8-26-10-7 points.
Marshall won last six games, surviving triple OT in last game when they missed 24 (43-67) foul shots; Herd is 4-2 at home, losing to Memphis, UAB. UTEP won last 12 games, winning tough road games at Tulsa and Southern Miss in last 10 days. Conference USA home teams are 5-11 vs spread in any conference game where the pointspread is 3 or less points.
Vanderbilt (-5.5) beat Florida 95-87 in SEC opener Jan 9, even though Gators made 13-27 from arc; both teams shot 50%+ for game. Vandy is 5-1 in last six games, 3-1 as SEC road dog. Florida is 9-3 in its last 12 games; they're 4-2 as SEC home fave, winning last six SEC home games by 14-2-16-7-8-13. SEC home favorites of 2.5-10 points are 19-12.
North Carolina is 3-10 in last 13 games, losing five of last six in Chapel Hill; they're 2-3 as ACC home favorite, with home wins over Va Tech by 14, NC State by 13. Miami lost nine of last 12 games; they're 3-4 as ACC road underdog, losing away games by 1-15-16-22-9-6-8 pts. ACC home favorites of 4 or less points are 11-8 against the spread.
Marquette is 8-1 in last nine games; they won last three, all on road, all in OT; Eagles won five of last six home games- 11 of their 16 Big East games were decided by 5 or less points. Louisville won four of last five games, with wins at Syracuse/UConn- they're 3-1 as Big East road dog. Big East home favorites of less than 3 points are 3-6-1 vs spread.
Horizon League tournament
Cleveland State won Horizon tourney LY; they beat Loyola twice this year, by 5-3 points, making 17-43 from arc (39.5%)- Ramblers were 9-27 (33%). Vikings lost four of last six games; they're 2-5 as home fave in Horizon games, with home wins by 5-7-14-1-8-9-5 pointa. Loyola is 4-5 as Horizon road dog. Horizon League double digit home faves are 6-16.
Wisc-Green Bay beat Youngstown twice this year, by 8-14 points; they made 15-40 from arc (37.5%), Penguins 4-25 (16%). Youngstown lost its first tourney game five of last six years, losing by 31-3-15-11-5 pts- they are Green Bay lost first tourney game five of last seven years, including last two. Horizon League home faves of 9+ points are 7-18.
Home side won both Valparaiso-Detroit games this year, but Crusaders had double digit lead at half of both; Detroit made 40-60 from foul line, Valpo 27-33. Valpo is 10-3 vs spread in last 13 games; they're 1-3 as a Horizon home favorite. Titans lost first Horizon tourney game last three years, scoring 37-43 points last two years; they're 5-2 as a road dog.
Ill-Chicago is just 3-15 in Horizon play; they lost to Milwaukee by 5-4 points, losing 78-74 at home to Panthers just three days ago; Flames are 10-9 in this event the last nine years, winning at least one game in every tournament. Panthers won five of last six games; they're 2-5 as a home favorite, winning home games by 5-20-6-3-2-10 points.
Ohio Valley Conference tournament
Morehead State beat Jacksonville State by 7-19 points this year, but the Gamecocks shot 50%+ in both games, made 15-25 from arc- Eagles were 21-49 (42.9%) from arc. Morehead won six of its last seven OVC games, handing Murray State its only league loss- they're 4-2 vs spread in last six as OVC home favorite, winning at home by 3-6-40-22-19-9-13-5-10..
Murray State pounded Tennessee State twice this year by 21-22 points, holding Tigers to 34-35% from floor; this is third year in row these two have met in OVC tourney- Murray won by 14 LY, lost the year before. Racers are 4-4-1 as OVC home favorite, winning home games by 2-30-24-16-24-22-22-2-12 points. Tigers are 5-1-1 vs spread as a road dog.
Home side won both Austin Peay-Tennessee Tech games; Peay has the historical edge in this event (15-6 last 8 years, with two titles); Tech has lost in first round last two years. Tech lost its last six road games, with last two in OT; they're 4-3 as OVC road underdog. Governors are 3-4 in last seven games, with two of the three wins coming in overtime.
Eastern Illinois won its last six league games to get home game here, but they're 0-4 in this event the last eight years; home team won both their games vs Eastern Kentucky, losing by 8 at EKU, winning by 23 at home 17 days ago. EIU is 8-1 at home in OVC, with only loss to 17-1 Murray State. Colonels are 4-5 SU on OVC road, losing three of last five overall.
Tips and Trends
Villanova Wildcats at Cincinnati Bearcats
Wildcats (-3, O/U 149): Villanova has hit the roughest part of their season, as they've lost 3 of their past 4 games SU. 2 of those 3 SU losses came as the listed favorite, making the Wildcats losers of 6 of their past 8 games ATS. Despite the recent SU slide, Villanova is still 23-5 SU and ranked #9 in the nation. That #9 ranking is the lowest Villanova has been ranked in the polls all season long. Villanova averages nearly 84 PPG this season, yet hasn't scored more than 77 PTS in their past 4 contests. The Wildcats are 11-4 SU and 9-6 ATS both in true road games and neutral court settings this season. The Wildcats are 6-4 ATS as a single digit favorite this season. Villanova has allowed 5 of their past 7 opponents to score at least 75 PTS against them. G Scottie Reynolds is easily one of the best players in not only the Big East conference but also the entire country. Reynolds leads 3 different Wildcats averaging double digits in PTS this season, averaging nearly 19 PPG. Reynolds is a sharpshooter, as he shoots nearly 49% from the field and 83% from the free throw line this season.
Wildcats are 1-4 ATS last 5 vs. Big East.
Over is 6-1 last 7 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Key Injuries - None.
PROJECTED SCORE: 82 (SIDE of the Day)
Bearcats: Cincinnati has lost 5 of their past 7 games SU, and their NCAA Tournament bubble is nearly burst. Cincinnati must win both their games this week SU and then do some damage in the Big East tournament to have anyu chance of playing in the Big Dance. The Bearcats are playing their final home game of the season, and will say goodbye to senior G Deonta Vaughn. Vaughn has averaged 11.3 PPG this season, trailing only G Lance Stephenson for the team lead in scoring. Vaughn has started 116 games for the Bearcats in his career, and is 4th in PTS in Bearcats history. Cincinnati is 12-3 SU and 1-9 ATS in home games this season. The only game the Bearcats have won ATS at home this season was against Toledo last November. The Bearcats are 5-5 ATS as the listed underdog this season. Cincinnati is 3-11 ATS in their past 14 games, making them 7-16 ATS for the entire season. The Bearcats are averaging just under 70 PPG this season, as they struggle to shoot. The Bearcats shoot worse than 63% from the free throw line and worse than 30% from the 3 point line this season.
Bearcats are 0-9 ATS last 9 home games.
Over is 4-1 last 5 home games.
Key Injuries - None.
PROJECTED SCORE: 71
Vanderbilt Commodores at Florida Gators
Commodores: Vanderbilt is playing exceptionally good basketball right now, as they've won 5 of their past 6 games SU. Their lone loss of late was a 2 point loss to Kentucky, the #2 team in the country. The Commodores are averaging nearly 87 PPG in those 5 recent wins. Vanderbilt is 11-3 SU in conference play this season, placing them 2nd in the SEC East division. A SU win in either of their final 2 regular season games will earn them a bye in the SEC Conference Tournament. Vandy is 22-6 SU this season, earning them a #19 national ranking. The Commodores have all but punched their ticket to the NCAA Tournament this season, in what will be their 3rd appearance in the past 4 seasons. Vandy will have their work cut out for them tonight, as they haven't won at Florida since the 2000-2001 season. The Commodores are 6-3 both SU and ATS on the road this season. Vandy is 5-3 ATS as the listed underdog this season. G Jermaine Beal is 1 of 3 current players averaging more than 13 PPG for the Commodores this season. Beal averages 14.6 PPG, along with 3 APG and 2.3 RPG this season.
Commodores are 7-3 ATS last 10 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Over is 10-2 last 12 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Key Injuries - G Charles Hinkle (personal) is questionable.
G Elliot Cole (shoulder) is out.
PROJECTED SCORE: 75
Gators (-2.5, O/U 146.5): It will be interesting to see how Florida responds to their hearbreakening loss to Georgia 3 days ago. Florida lost 76-78 at Georgia as 2 point favorites. That SU loss broke a 3 game conference winning streak for the Gators. Florida is 20-9 SU this season, including 9-5 SU in conference play. The Gators are 13-3 SU and 6-6 ATS at home this season. Florida is 4-5 ATS as a single digit favorite this season. The Gators have some revenge tonight, as they lost by 8 PTS earlier this year to Vanderbilt as 5.5 underdogs. Florida allowed Vanderbilt to score 95 PTS in that game, the only time this season the Gators have allowed 90 or more PTS this season. The Gators have scored at least 75 PTS in 3 of their past 4 games. Guards Kenny Boynton and Erving Walker combine to average nearly 27 PPG this season for the Gators. This duo also combine to average nearly 8 APG and 4 made 3 pointer per game this season. F Alex Tyus averages 12 PPG and 7 RPG this season for Florida.
Gators are 1-4 ATS last 5 home games vs. a team with a road winning % greater than .600.
Under is 12-5 last 17 home games.
Key Injuries - F Kenny Kadji (back) is questionable.
PROJECTED SCORE: 79 (OVER - Total of the Day)