Wednesday Wagers
By Brian Edwards
Gamblers have games galore on Wednesday’s college hoops card, so let’s take a look at a few of the key contests before covering a variety of topics (like Northwestern) in Bonus Nuggets.
**Illinois at Clemson**
--Las Vegas Sports Consultants opened Clemson (6-1 straight up, 2-3 against the spread) as a four-point favorite.
--Illinois (4-2 SU, 0-4 ATS) is on the road again in this spot after losing back-to-back games in Las Vegas at The Orleans Arena this past weekend. The Illini first went down Friday night when it lost a 60-58 decision to Utah. The Utes, who garnered the outright victory as 7 ½-point underdogs, rallied from a 32-16 deficit at halftime and outscored Bruce Weber’s team 44-26 in the second half.
--Demetri McCamey scored a game-high 19 points in the loss to Utah. The junior point guard has produced double-figure scoring efforts in five of the Illini’s six games. McCamey averages and team-high 12.7 points and 6.0 assists per game. Junior power forward Mike Davis is averaging a double-double with averages of 11.1 points and 10.0 rebounds per contest.
--Illinois was also beaten Saturday by Bradley, which captured a 72-68 victory as an eight-point underdog. The 140 combined points sailed ‘over’ the 130-point total. The ‘over’ is 2-0 for the Illinii to date and if we go back to last year, the ‘
--Clemson won two of three games at the 76 Classic in Anaheim. The Tigers closed the weekend by edging Butler 70-69 on Sunday as three-point favorites. The non-cover was the third straight for Oliver Purnell’s squad. Demontez Stitt knocked down a pair of free throws with 3.3 seconds remaining to lift his team into the win column. Stitt finished with a team-high 19 points, while Trevor Booker and Andre Young added 12 points apiece.
--Clemson has only played two of its seven games at home this year. The Tigers pounded both Presbyterian (84-41) and Winthrop (102-66) in non-lined matchups.
--Clemson is 0-2 ATS as a single-digit ‘chalk’ this season. Illinois hasn’t been an underdog until this road trip to Littlejohn Coliseum.
--Booker is averaging 13.9 points and 8.7 rebounds per game to lead the Tigers in both categories.
--Tip-off is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. Eastern on ESPN.
**Duke at Wisconsin**
--LVSC opened Duke (6-0 SU, 4-1 ATS) as a four-point road favorite. The Blue Devils come to Madison after sweeping a pair of games at Madison Square Garden over the holidays. They covered the spread and the ‘under’ cashed in both games at MSG.
--Duke beat Arizona St. last Wednesday by a 64-53 score as a 10-point favorite. Jon Scheyer paced the winners with 16 points, five assists and four rebounds. Nolan Smith and Kyle Singler added 14 and 13 points, respectively, in the win over the Sun Devils. On Friday in NYC, Duke collected a 68-59 win over UConn on a night when it shot just 29.2-percent from the floor and Singler gave them next to nothing (just six points on 2-of-12 shooting). Nevertheless, bettors backing Duke cashed tickets laying 3 ½ points against the Huskies.
--Scheyer is playing out of position at the point, but he’s produced a sensational 31-to-4 assists-to-turnover ratio so far this year. The senior guard is averaging 16.8 points and 5.2 assists per game. Smith leads the Blue Devils with an 18.5 PPG average, while Singler is averaging 15.3 points and 6.3 boards per contest.
--Wisconsin (4-1 SU, 2-2 ATS) won two of three games at the Maui Classic last week. The Badgers are off a 78-69 win over Maryland as two-point underdogs. Jason Bohannon scored a game-high 20 points, while Jon Leuer finished with 16 points and seven rebounds.
--Bo Ryan’s team beat Arizona in the first round of the Maui Classic, but the Wildcats took the cash in the 65-61 loss as 5 ½-point underdogs. Next, Wisconsin went down by a 75-61 count against Gonzaga. Mark Few’s team hooked up its backers as two-point underdogs versus the Badgers.
--These schools met in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge two seasons ago with Duke trouncing Wisconsin 82-58 as a 9 ½-point home favorite. The 140 combined points slipped ‘over’ the 138-point tally at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Singler had 13 points and six rebounds that night, while Scheyer had 10 points and nine boards.
--ESPN will have the telecast at 9:15 p.m. Eastern.
**B.E.’s Bonus Nuggets**
--Although Northwestern lost seniors Kevin Coble and Jeff Ryan to season-ending injuries, it has won six of its first seven games after winning 65-53 at North Carolina State. The Wildcats jumped on the Wolfpack early and cruised to the win as six-point road underdogs. Gamblers backing Bill Carmody’s team on the money line brought home a plus-220 payout (paid $220 for each $100 wagered). The lone loss for Northwestern came against Butler and the team has wins over Notre Dame and Iowa State. Coble was the team’s leading scorer the last three seasons, but his absence has been tempered by the emergence of junior guard Michael Thompson. The playmaker dropped 22 points on N.C. St. and is averaging more than 16 points per game.
--UCLA sophomore forward Drew Gordon is transferring to another school. Gordon was averaging 11.2 points and 5.3 rebounds per game for the Bruins, who are 2-4 with losses to Cal State-Fullerton, Portland, Butler and Long Beach State. They will fall to 2-5 after playing at Kansas this Sunday.
--Florida stayed unbeaten by beating FAMU 80-58 on Tuesday night at the O-Dome. All the news for the Gators has been splendid lately, including this week’s verbal commitment from Brad Beal, who some recruitniks say is the best shooting guard in the Class of 2011. Scout.com ranks Beal as the nation’s No. 10 player, while Rivals.com has Beal as the seventh-best overall player.
Illinois (4-2, 1-4 ATS) at (18) Clemson (6-1, 2-3 ATS)
Having dropped out of the Top 25 following back-to-back losses, the Illini look to get back on track when they invade Littlejohn Coliseum for an ACC/Big Ten challenge matchup with Clemson.
Illinois sprinted out to a 4-0 start, all of them double-digit home wins over inferior competition. But the Illini finally stepped up in class at the Las Vegas Invitational over the weekend and lost on consecutive days to Utah (60-58 as a 7½-point favorite) and Bradley (72-68 as an eight-point chalk). Illinois is 1-6 ATS in its last seven lined outings dating to last season, including 0-3 ATS in the last three.
The Tigers entered last week’s 76 Classic in Anaheim, Calif., with a 4-0 record, then suffered their first loss of the season – 69-60 to Texas A&M as a six-point chalk on Thursday – before rebounding with wins over Long Beach State (87-79 on Friday) and 12th-ranked Butler (70-69 on Sunday). However, Clemson – which made two free throws with 3.3 seconds left to beat Butler – failed to cover as a favorite in all three of those tournament contests, dropping to 2-6 ATS in its last eight lined outings.
These teams met last year in Illinois, and the Tigers stole a 76-74 win as a one-point road underdog. Including two upset wins by the Illini in 1997 and 1998, the ‘dog has won outright in three straight meetings between these schools.
Aside from a solid 28-13-2 run in Wednesday contests, Illinois is in the midst of ATS droughts of 1-6 overall, 1-6 in non-conference play, 2-5 on the road, 1-4 against the ACC and 1-5 against teams with a winning record. Clemson has cashed in five of seven against the Big Ten, but is otherwise in ATS slumps of 2-6 overall (all non-conference games), 1-4 at home, 0-4 after a non-cover and 0-7 versus winning opponents.
The under is on stretches of 5-2 for the Illini versus the ACC, 8-2 for the Illini on Wednesday, 11-3 for Clemson at home and 5-1 for Clemson in non-conference action. Conversely, Illinois has topped the total in four straight games overall, while the over is 6-2 in the Tigers’ last eight against the Big Ten and their last eight on Wednesday.
ATS ADVANTAGE: CLEMSON
Minnesota (4-2, 2-3 ATS) at Miami, Fla. (7-0, 2-1 ATS)
The Hurricanes face by far their toughest challenge this season when they entertain Minnesota at the BankUnited Center in South Beach in another ACC/Big Ten Challenge contest.
The Gophers are coming off consecutive upset losses to Portland (61-56 as an 8½-point favorite) and Texas A&M (66-65 as a 5½-point choice) in last weekend’s 76 Classic in Anaheim, Calif. After netting 81.8 ppg in its first four games (all victories), Minnesota averaged just 60.5 ppg in the two losses in Anaheim while shooting just 35.9 percent from the field. The Gophers continue to play strong defense, though, giving up just 57.2 ppg (35.8 percent shooting)
Miami has taken full advantage of a cupcake schedule, ripping off seven straight wins to begin the season, with six coming by 15 points or more. In their most recent lined outing – and against their only tough opponent so far – the Hurricanes clobbered South Carolina 85-70 as a 2½-point underdog in a neutral-site contest. Miami has scored at last 70 points in six of its seven games, and only the Gamecocks managed to score more than 60 points against the ‘Canes, who are yielding just 56 ppg (38.4 percent).
This is the first meeting between these schools.
Minnesota is riding a slew of negative ATS streaks, including 6-15 overall in lined action, 1-9 on the road, 2-7 versus the ACC and 4-10 after a SU loss. The ‘Canes are on positive pointspread upticks of 4-2 at home and 18-5 in non-league games, but they’ve failed to cover in four straight against Big Ten opponents.
The under is on runs of 4-1 for Miami overall, 4-1 for Miami at home, 4-1 for Minnesota against the ACC, 5-1 for Minnesota on Wednesday and 12-5 for Minnesota after a SU defeat.
ATS ADVANTAGE: MIAMI (FLA.) and UNDER
(6) Duke (6-0, 4-1 ATS) at Wisconsin (4-1, 2-2 ATS)
Fresh off a dominating victory over UConn in the NIT Season Tip-Off championship game in New York, Duke now looks to improve to 11-0 all-time in the ACC/Big Ten challenge when it makes its first ever trip to the Kohl Center in Wisconsin.
The Blue Devils rode their defense to another Preseason NIT championship last weekend, manhandling Arizona State (64-53 as a 10-point favorite) and UConn (68-59 as a 3½-point chalk). In the title-game win, Duke was putrid from the field, shooting 29.2 percent, but it held the Huskies to 36.1 percent shooting. For the season, the Blue Devils are yielding just 58.2 ppg on 35.7 percent shooting, with four of their last five opponents failing to crack the 60-point mark.
Wisconsin is back in action for the first time since wrapping up play in the Maui Invitational eight days ago. The Badgers went 2-1 (1-2 ATS) in the tournament for a third-place finish, sandwiching victories over Arizona (65-61 as a 5½-point favorite) and Maryland (78-69 as a two-point underdog) around a loss to eventual tournament-champion Gonzaga (74-61 as a two-point chalk).
Last year in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, Duke crushed then-No. 9 Purdue 76-60 as a two-point road underdog. Not only are the Blue Devils a perfect 10-0 in the made-for-TV event – including 3-0 on the road – but they’ve held their last three Big Ten foes to 60 points or less. That includes an 82-58 dismantling of Wisconsin in 2007 as a 9½-point home chalk, the only recent meeting between these schools. Duke is 5-1 ATS in its last six against the Big Ten.
The Badgers are just 4-6 SU in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge (3-1 at home), though they upended of Virginia Tech 74-72 as a three-point underdog last December, improving to 8-1 ATS in their last nine against ACC competition (the lone non-cover coming at Duke two years ago). Wisconsin has also covered in 11 of its lat 14 on Wednesday, but is otherwise in ATS downturns of 0-6 after a SU win, 0-4 after a non-cover and 2-8 against winning teams.
For Duke, the under is on runs of 7-2 on the road, 4-1 after a SU win, 17-5 after an ATS triumph and 35-17 on Wednesday, while Wisconsin has stayed low in nine of 12 overall, seven of eight after a SU win and 22 of 28 after a spread-cover. However, the over is 6-1 in the Badgers’ last seven against the ACC.
ATS ADVANTAGE: DUKE and UNDER
(21) Florida State (6-1, 2-2 ATS) at (15) Ohio State (5-1, 4-2 ATS)
Two ranked teams riding three-game win streaks duke it out at Value City Arena in Columbus, where the Buckeyes host Florida State in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
The Seminoles captured the Old Spice Classic championship in Orlando with Sunday’s 57-56 victory over Marquette as a one-point underdog, rallying from a 12-point halftime deficit. They won all three games in the tournament – also knocking off Iona and Alabama – despite scoring just 54, 60 and 57 points, but the defense stepped up, yielding just 52 ppg. Since opening the season by tallying 87, 80 and 89 points, Florida State has averaged a paltry 55.8 ppg in its last four games.
Ohio State followed up its only loss of the season (77-73 to North Carolina in the 2K Sports Classic at Madison Square Garden) with three straight wins. First, the Buckeyes topped Cal 76-70 as a 3½-point favorite in the 2K Sports Classic consolation game, then came home and destroyed Lipscomb (84-64, coming up short as a 28-point chalk) and St. Francis-Pennsylvania (110-47, covering as a 35½-point favorite). Thad Matta’s squad has alternated spread-covers in its last five games.
The schools last met in 2000, with Ohio State rolling to a 90-65 victory as a seven-point favorite.
Going back to last year, the Seminoles are 14-6-1 ATS in their last 21 road games and 4-1-1 ATS in their last six Wednesday affairs, while Ohio State is on pointspread surges of 7-3 overall, 16-6 in non-conference play and 5-2 after a SU win, but the Buckeyes are 2-6-1 ATS in their last nine versus ACC competition.
Florida State carries “under” streaks of 4-0 overall, 5-2 on the road and 4-1 after a SU win, but the over has cashed in five of its last seven against the Big Ten and five straight on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the under is 7-3 in Ohio State’s last 10 after a SU victory, but the total has alternated in the Buckeyes’ last 12 games.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NONE
NCAAB News and Notes
Wednesday, December 2
Information on the best of Wednesday's college hoop games........
Pitt is 5-1 with four new starters; they're 1-3-1 vs spread as a favorite, with home wins by 3-25-11-16 points. Big East home faves are 11-17 vs spread. Duquesne has four starters back from 21-13 team; they're 5-1 vs bunch of stiffs; best win so far is 52-50 at Iowa. A-14 road dogs: 4-13.
Old Dominion (-6.5) beat former CAA rival Richmond 65-62 LY, after leading at half by 11; both teams were in the South Padre tourney, with Monarchs 0-2 while Spiders upset Missouri to win title. CAA dogs on road are 17-9 vs spread. Both teams have five starters back from LY.
Darrin Horn faces his old team as Western Kentucky visits Horn's South Carolina club; three of WKU's four games were decided by four points or less, with last two decided by point each. Gamecocks are 5-1, losing to Miami by 15; they're 2-2 vs spread as fave. SEC HFs are 15-12.
Illinois lost twice in Vegas over weekend, blowing 16-point lead in loss to Utah Friday; Illini has three starters back from 24-10 team. Clemson won two of three in Anaheim, nipping Butler by point Sunday to make them 6-1. ACC-Big 11 Challenge is tied 3-3 going into tonite's games.
Minnesota is 4-2 after losing last two games in Anaheim (Portland by 5, A&M by 1); Gophers have four starters back from 22-11 team that was 9-9 in Big 11 LY. Miami is 7-0, but South Carolina is only quality team they've beaten; Hurricanes have two starters back from 19-13 team.
Rhode Island is 4-0 with wins at Brown (78-57/Davidson 75-65); URI has three starters back from 23-11 team (11-5 in A-14). A-14 road dogs are 4-13 vs spread. VCU is 4-1, beating Oklahoma by 13, Nevada by 9 but losing at W. Michigan by 16. Rams have conference opener Saturday
Boston College is 4-2 but has injury issues (Sanders out); they've lost to St Joe's by 4, No Iowa by 12 on neutral floor, won at Providence by 5 in last game Saturday. ACC road dogs are 3-5. Michigan is 3-2 after losing last two games in Florida last week, despite being favored in both games.
Oklahoma State pounded Tulsa 91-75 LY after being up by 28 at half-- OSU is 6-0, 2-0-1 vs spread as favorite. Cowboys have three starters back from 23-12 team (9-7 in Big 12). Tulsa has four starters back from 25-11 team (12-4 in C-USA); they're 5-1, losing by 8 at Missouri State.
Iowa State is 6-1, losing by hoop to Northwestern last game; Cyclones' coach McDermott came to Ames from Northern Iowa, which lost LY's game 71-66 in OT (-5) to ISU. UNI has all five starters back from LY--- they're 4-1, beating BC by 12, winning at Denver by 6, losing to DePaul.
BYU (-7.5) beat Utah State 68-63 LY; Cougars are 5-0 this year, with an 83-65 win at Hawai'i in its only road game. MWC road teams are 6-8 vs spread in non-league games. Utah State has four starters back from 30-5 team (14-2 in WAC). Aggies are 3-2, with losses by total of four points.
Duke is 10-0 in ACC/Big 11 Challenge; they're 6-0, beating UConn by 9, Arizona State by 11. Wisconsin has three starters back from 20-13 team (10-8 in Big 11); they won two of three games in Maui, beating Arizona by 4, Maryland by 9, losing by 13 to Gonzaga. ACC road faves: 13-11.
Missouri got upset at South Padre by Richmond in final; they're 4-1 so far this year. Big 12 road teams are 18-8 vs spread in non-league tilts. Vanderbilt is 3-1 vs D-I teams, winning by hoop at St Mary's, by 12 vs Arizona in Maui, but losing by 9 to Cincinnati. SEC home teams: 15-11.
Florida State is 6-1 after winning Disney tourney, beating Marquette by a point in final; Seminoles have three starters back from 25-10 team that was 10-6 in ACC. Ohio State is 5-1, losing to North Carolina by 4; Buckeyes have all five starters back from 22-11 team (10-6 in Big 11).
Georgia Tech coach Hewitt got to Atlanta because of his success with Siena Saints, who now have their best team since Hewitt left. Saints are disappointing 4-2, losing at Temple, St John's; pegging them as Top 25 team was overly optimistic. Tech is 4-1, losing 63-59 on neutral court to Dayton- they have one of nation's best freshmen in Favors.