Wednesday's Best NCAAB Bet
Michigan Wolverines at Illinois Fighting Illini (-9.5, 131.5)
The young Wolverines are starting to play like grizzled veterans. Michigan is 5-1 SU and ATS over its past six games, sparking talk of an NCAA Tournament berth as the side loaded with underclassman is starting to live up to it's potential in a hurry.
"We just kind of looked ourselves in the mirror after the Minnesota game at home (a 69-64 loss) and we didn't like what we saw," junior Zack Novak said. "Guys weren't playing with the energy we needed. The last few weeks, we've really focused. Once you get back inside your goal, it gives you a little extra motivation because you can see it.”
How does this look? Michigan also has been frisky as an underdog, going 4-2 ATS in the team’s past six games it got points. That’s bad news for an Illini team that has handled success about as well as the Olsen twins.
Starting point guard Demetri McCamey, who went 1-for-10 from the floor in an 11-point loss to Purdue, has basically played himself out of the NBA draft as the Illini are doing just enough to linger on the NCAA Tournament bubble.
Aside from McCamey’s recent shoddy play, the team loves to play down to its competition. Illinois is an abysmal 3-4 ATS in its past seven games as a favorite.
Pick: Michigan
Badgers face tough NCAA betting battle at Purdue
By: Michael Robinson
The Wisconsin Badgers look to avoid the dreaded letdown whey they travel to the Purdue Boilermakers on Wednesday night.
The Badgers (19-5 straight-up, 13-7 against the spread) are coming off a thrilling 71-67 Saturday home win over then No. 1 and undefeated Ohio State (24-0 SU). That was a ‘cover’ as well as two-point favorites.
Ohio State led by 15 points in the second half (47-32), but point guard Jordan Taylor scored 21 points from there, including a barrage of three-pointers. The rabid Madison fans were going crazy, not to mention ESPN announcer Dick Vitale.
No. 10 Wisconsin continues to cement its reputation as a great home team. The record this year is 14-0 SU and 8-2 ATS, and it’s an incredible 150-11 SU under coach Bo Ryan.
Ryan’s coaching style may turn off some fans. His swing offense and tenacious defensive philosophy make for low-scoring games. The Badgers are eighth in the Big Ten in offense (69.6 PPG) and first in defense (56.7 PPG).
The talent on this team is leaner than in prior years. Taylor (18.1 PPG, 4.8 APG) and power forward Jon Leuer (19.1 PPG, 7.3 RPG) are among the best in the Big Ten, and Keaton Nankivil (9.5 PPG, 4.6 RPG) is another active big man. The rest of the roster is marginal role players, with no one scoring more than 5.6 PPG.
The Badgers’ roster flaws show up more on the road. They’re 5-5 SU and ATS in road and neutral site games. That includes 2-3 SU and ATS in the conference, failing to ‘cover’ the last two at Iowa (62-59 win as seven-point favorites) and Penn State (56-52 loss as 3½-point ‘chalk’).
The ‘under’ is 3-0 in Wisconsin’s last three road games, even with the Iowa game going into overtime.
The No. 11 ranked Boilermakers (20-5 SU, 14-8 ATS) are another resilient team under coach Matt Painter. They were considered top-5 in the preseason before the season-ending knee injury to Robbie Hummel in October.
Purdue is coming off one of its best wins of the year, 81-70 at Illinois as 2 ½-point ‘dogs on Sunday. Big man JaJuan Johnson had 24 points and guard E’Twaun Moore added 20. It was 0-4 SU and ATS in its previous four road games.
The Boilermakers have two things in common with Wisconsin. The first is they get most of their scoring from two players, Johnson (20.7 PPG) and Moore (17.8 PPG). Guard Lewis Jackson is next at just 7.2 PPG. The second is they’re very good at home (13-0 SU and 8-2 ATS). The ‘under’ is 4-1 in their last five home games.
These two teams met in Madison on Feb. 1, with Wisconsin winning 66-59 as five-point favorites. That was a very fortunate ‘cover’ as Purdue led 59-58 with 1:10 remaining. Leuer (24) outscored Johnson (23), but the big difference was Badgers’ advantages on the boards (32-25) and forced turnovers (13-7).
Johnson needs to establish himself early in the post on Wednesday and on the boards. Nankivil is a good defender, but Johnson can’t be stopped when on. The Badgers could also come out flat after the Ohio State game and fall behind quickly.
Wisconsin is 2-6 ATS in the last eight meetings at Purdue, although ‘covering’ the 9½-point spread last year in a 60-57 loss. The ‘under’ is 4-0 in the last four meetings there.
Wisconsin is not reporting any significant injuries. Purdue swingman D.J. Byrd is probable with a hip injury.
The Big Ten Network will have the early 3:30 p.m. (PT) tip-off from Mackey Arena
NCAA Betting Preview: Georgetown at Connecticut
By: Stephen Nover
Connecticut rarely loses in Storrs, going 12-2 at home this season.
The 13th-ranked Huskies, though, host red-hot ninth-ranked Georgetown Wednesday at 4 p.m. PT in a Big East Conference matchup.
Georgetown has won eight straight Big East games, a remarkable achievement for being in the toughest conference in the country. This is the Hoyas’ longest Big East victory streak since they won 11 in a row in 2006-07.
The Hoyas are 16-6 ATS in their last 22 games following a straight-up victory. They are 6-2 ATS during their past eight games.
Senior guard Austin Freeman has averaged better than 20 points per game during Georgetown’s win streak. Freeman, the Big East preseason player of the year, sprained an ankle during the Hoyas’ last game this past Sunday.
Georgetown beat Marquette in that matchup, 69-60, as 5½-point home favorites. It was Marquette’s largest margin of defeat this season. The combined 129 points went ‘under’ the 144 ½-point total. It was the fifth time in their last six games that the Hoyas have gone ‘under’ the total.
Freeman managed to finish the game scoring 17 points despite a heavily taped ankle. Chris Wright had 20 points for Georgetown while Hollis Thompson added a career-high 13 rebounds. Hoyas coach John Thompson III believes Freeman should be able to play against Connecticut, although Freeman is unlikely to be 100 percent.
The Hoyas made just seven of 27 shots from 3-point range versus Marquette. Still, Georgetown is 13-0 when making at least six 3-pointers. The Hoyas are 16-0 when hitting 33 percent or better from beyond the arc.
The 20-5 Hoyas have now posted at least 20 victories in five of the past seven seasons under Thompson. They are 9-4 in the Big East.
Connecticut holds foes to 32.9 percent from 3-point range. The Huskies halted a two-game home losing skid by defeating Providence, 75-57, as 10-point home favorites this past Sunday. The combined 132 points went ‘under’ the 151-point total. It was the first time Connecticut covered the spread in its last five games. The ‘under’ has cashed in eight of the Huskies’ past 10 games.
The Huskies received a surprising 25 points from Jamal Coombs-McDaniel in their win against the Friars. Coombs-McDaniel, averaging less than five points per game, hit 10-of-17 field goals and pulled down a career-high eight rebounds to go with his highest scoring game ever.
Kemba Walker ended his shooting slump adding 22 points for Connecticut making seven of 10 shots from the field. Walker, the No. 2 scorer in the Big East behind Marshon Brooks of Providence, was shooting just 29.2 percent from the floor in his previous five games averaging 15.2 points during that span. It was just the second time in his last 16 games that Walker hit more than half his shots from the floor.
Walker ranks seventh in the nation in scoring averaging 22.8 points per game, but had failed to break the 20-point barrier in five of his last seven games.
Brooks scored 25 points against Connecticut, but the Huskies held him to seven-of-22 from the floor, including one-of-eight from beyond the arc.
The Huskies, 19-5 and 7-5 in the Big East, made 46.8 percent of their shots from the floor versus the Friars. Only once in their previous four games had the Huskies connected on more than 40 percent of their field goals. Connecticut rated 14th of the 16 Big East teams in shooting percentage prior to beating Providence. Connecticut’s previous four opponents all played zone. Providence, though, opened with a man-to-man defense and stuck with it until falling far behind.
Connecticut is 16-1 when shooting at least 38 percent from the field. Georgetown is holding opponents to 41.1 percent from the field.
Longhorns host Oklahoma State
By: Brad Young
Second-ranked Texas (22-3 straight up, 15-5 against the spread) can ascend to the nation’s top ranking with a couple of victories this week. Big XII rival Kansas held the No. 1 spot briefly before getting routed by Kansas State Monday night. The Longhorns’ first test will come in Wednesday’s home matchup with Oklahoma State (16-8 SU, 10-8-1 ATS).
Texas is an unblemished 10-0 in conference play, and is now 1.5-games ahead of the second-place Jayhawks. Meanwhile the Cowboys, six games off the pace, can build their NCAA Tournament resume with a road victory in this spot.
Oklahoma State had its brief two-game SU winning streak halted with Saturday’s setback to Nebraska as a 5½-point road underdog, 65-54. The combined 119 points went ‘under’ the 127½-point closing total, ending a string of three straight ‘over’ outings. The Cowboys are now just 1-5 ATS the previous six outings.
Oklahoma State was on the short end of rebounding (35-26) and assists (13-9), while shooting just 36 percent (18-of-50) from the field and 33 percent (5-of-15) from behind the arc. Forward Marshall Moses paced the offense with 18 points and six rebounds, while guard Keiton Page added 14. The Cowboys are now 0-5 SU in Big XII road games.
Texas hasn’t tasted defeat since an overtime setback to Connecticut Jan. 8. The Longhorns continued their winning ways by holding off Baylor Saturday as 11-point home ‘chalk,’ 69-60. The combined 129 points failed to topple the 132-point closing total, helping the ‘under’ cash the seventh consecutive contest.
Texas jumped out to a 16-point halftime advantage, 38-22, before getting outscored in the second half, 38-31. The Longhorns outrebounded the Bears, 38-34, while both schools registered seven assists. Texas shot 42 percent (22-of-52) from the field and 30 percent (3-of-10) from 3-point land. Freshman forward Tristan Thompson accounted for 17 points and 13 rebounds in the victory, while Jordan Hamilton added 17 and seven.
The Longhorns are 3-0 SU and ATS the previous three encounters with Oklahoma State, with the ‘under’ going a solid 9-1 the last 10 meetings. Texas toppled the Cowboys Jan. 26 as a 4½-point road favorite, 61-46, while the combined 107 points never seriously threatened the 137-point closing total. The home team is 11-5-1 ATS the past 17 games in this series.
Oklahoma State forward Darrell Williams (suspension) is ‘out’ indefinitely. The Cowboys continue a streak of playing ranked teams after this contest, hosting 17th-ranked Texas A&M before traveling to Lawrence to face Kansas. Oklahoma State is 11-5 ATS its past 16 Wednesday games, and 19-39-2 ATS the last 60 road outings.
Texas has a road game against Nebraska next on the schedule before returning home to tackle Iowa State. The Longhorns are 8-2 ATS their last 10 games overall.
ESPN2 will provide coverage of Wednesday’s Big XII matchup beginning at 6:00 p.m. PT from Frank Erwin Events Center in Austin.
Wednesday NCAAB Betting Preview
Purdue tries to stay undefeated at home when they entertain Wisconsin, while Georgetown looks for another win over UConn in NCAAB action on Wednesday.
Wisconsin Badgers at Purdue Boilermakers
Wisconsin (19-5 SU, 13-7 ATS) defeated Purdue (20-5 SU, 14-7 ATS) once this season at home, and knocked off the Boilermakers in their barn last year. Purdue is undefeated after 13 home games thus far - and will be home favorites.
The Badgers are also coming off a major upset victory over top-ranked Ohio State and are playing like a team destined for a long run in March Madness. If the Boilermakers are going to lose at home, then a wager for the road underdog Badgers could be the one that turns a profitable hand.
Wisconsin may have a ton of momentum and could be the best underdog wager on the NCAAB betting lines this night, but they are 1-7 SU on the road against Purdue. The Boilermakers will be the preference among NCAAB bettors with its home record.
The long history points to a favorable outcome for Purdue - but Wisconsin has covered the pointspread in three straight head-to-head which included two victories.
Totals betting could get a lot of wagers with Purdue paying out to UNDER bettors in four of the last five, and Wisconsin paying out nearly 3/1 to UNDER bettors.
Georgetown Hoyas at Connecticut Huskies
Connecticut (19-5 SU, 11-7 ATS) will be home favorites when they host red-hot Georgetown (20-5 SU, 14-9 ATS) in a battle of ranked teams sure to draw plenty of attention on the NCAAB betting lines.
The Hoyas have won five straight overall and four straight head-to-head against the Huskies. Connecticut, meanwhile, has lost three of its last five games and is 1-4 ATS during the same span.
Georgetown has also won four of its last five games on the road and could draw a lot of attention from bettors looking for a good underdog pick. Connecticut holds a clear advantage over the Hoyas at home, but they have struggled lately and haven’t defeated their opponents since 2006.
This one is shaping up to give UNDER bettors a clear advantage. Georgetown has played UNDER the posted total in four of their last six games, while the total has gone UNDER in six of the last eight involving Connecticut.
Wednesday Wagers
By Brian Edwards
Wisconsin will be in a classic letdown situation Wednesday when it travels to West Lafayette to face Purdue. The Badgers are coming off Saturday’s come-from-behind win over previously-unbeaten and top-ranked Ohio St.
With that said, however, we would like to point out that FSU, the last team to beat the nation’s No. 1 team (Duke at that time), did not fall victim to the flat spot its next time out in a blowout win over North Carolina St.
Purdue (20-5 straight up, 14-8 against the spread) has won three of its last four games both SU and ATS, including Sunday’s 81-70 win at Illinois as a 2½-point underdog. JaJuan Johnson was the catalyst for the Boilermakers, scoring 24 points to go with nine rebounds, two steals and a pair of blocked shots.
Matt Painter’s team has been a serious money maker at home, winning all 13 of its games while compiling an 8-2 spread record.
Bo Ryan’s squad rallied past the Buckeyes thanks to a tremendous performance from junior guard Jordan Taylor, who scored 21 of his 27 points in the second half.
When these Big Ten rivals met in Madison on Feb. 1, Purdue had a 59-58 lead at the 1:00 mark. But the Badgers put together an 8-0 run in the final 50 seconds to not only take down the Boilers, but to also hook up their backers as five-point home favorites in a 66-59 victory.
Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Eastern on the Big Ten Network.
Georgia will play host to Vanderbilt at Stegeman Coliseum on ESPNU at 7:00 p.m. Eastern. The Dawgs will be looking to avenge a 73-66 loss in Music City on Jan. 12, although we should note that they still took the cash as 8½-point underdogs. In fact, UGA has a 4-1 spread record in its last five games against the Commodores.
Georgia (17-7 SU, 9-11 ATS) nearly let a 19-point halftime lead get away in Saturday’s 60-56 win at South Carolina as a three-point road favorite. Trey Thompkins led the way for the winner with 16 points and nine rebounds.
Vanderbilt (18-6 SU, 11-8-1 ATS) has won three in a row and six of its last eight, including Saturday’s 81-77 win over Kentucky as a one-point home underdog. We backed the ‘Dores for a winner in that spot and got the cover thanks to a career-high 32 points from sophomore John Jenkins, who knocked down 11-of-17 shots and 6-of-10 from beyond the arc.
The ‘over’ is on a 6-2 run for Vandy, but the ‘under’ has cashed at a 4-1 clip in UGA’s last five outings.
Texas will try to stay hot when it welcomes Oklahoma State into Austin. ESPN2 will have television coverage at 9:00 p.m. Eastern.
Texas (22-3 SU, 15-5 ATS) has been cashing tickets at a frenetic pace. The Longhorns have won 10 in a row to stay unbeaten in Big 12 play, going 8-2 ATS in the process. They are off a 69-60 win over Baylor as 11-point home favorites, coming up short on the cover after leading by 16 at intermission.
Tristan Thompson had 17 points and 13 rebounds against the Bears, who got back in the game thanks to 26 points from LaceDarius Dunn. Jordan Hamilton also had 17 points for the ‘Horns.
Oklahoma State (16-8 SU, 10-8-1 ATS) is on shaky ground as far as its at-large hopes to get to the NCAA Tournament, but the Cowboys can change that by pulling an upset Wednesday. Travis Ford’s squad has lost six of its last nine games both SU and ATS.
Rick Barnes’ team has won 14 of its 15 home games (losing to UConn in OT), posting a 6-4 ATS record. The ‘under’ is hot in Texas games, hitting in seven straight and nine of its last 10. Also, the ‘under’ is on a 9-1 roll in the last 10 head-to-head meetings between these Big 12 adversaries.
Gamblers will have a chance to fade one of the country’s worst ATS squads in the 11:00 p.m. Eastern game on ESPN2. That matchup will feature Saint Mary’s at San Diego against the hapless Toreros.
Saint Mary’s (22-4 SU, 11-9-1 ATS) is a threat to get to the Sweet 16 once again under Randy Bennett, who is one of the rising stars in the coaching profession. The Gaels have won four straight, although they are in the midst of a 2-5-1 ATS slide. They did take the cash in Saturday’s 86-68 win at San Francisco as 9½-point road favorites.
Rob Jones, a transfer from USD who helped the Toreros to the second round of the NCAA Tournament three seasons ago, had 18 points and five rebounds against the Dons. Mickey McConnell scored 19 points and dished out eight assists.
San Diego (5-21 SU, 6-17 ATS) has been atrocious all year long, limping to an abysmal 1-7 spread record in its eight lined home games.
vegasinsider.com.
College Basketball Knowledge
Wisconsin (-5) outscored Purdue 8-0 over last 1:11 to beat Boilers 66-59 in first meeting 15 days ago; Badgers won eight of last nine games, with win over #1 Ohio State in its last game. Purdue is 6-0 at home in league, with wins by 13-23-1-10-12-14 points (5-1 as home favorites). Big 11 home favorites of 5 or less points are 10-5-1 vs spread. Badgers lost last four visits to Mackey Arena, by 8-4-13-3 points.
Louisville-Cincinnati split last six meetings, but Cardinals won three of last four visits here. Louisville lost four of last five road games, with the win in double OT at UConn. Bearcats lost three of last four games, with last two games decided by total of five points. Home teams are 7-3 vs spread in Big East games where spread is 2 or less points.
Memphis (+5) won 76-73 in OT at UAB Jan 22, Tigers' 10th win in a row over rival Blazers. UAB C Moore had 24 points, 11 rebounds that day; is expected to miss this game (hand). Memphis covered three of last four as a home favorite. C-USA home favorites of less than 5 points are 9-6-1 vs spread. Blazers are 4-2 against the spread as an underdog.
Wright State (+7.5) lost 65-46 at Cleveland State Jan 22, shooting 27% on night; they were -18 on boards. Raiders won last four home games, by 5-13-6-4 points. Vikings lost two of last three games, are 5-3 SU on road in conference. Horizon League home teams are 20-14 vs spread in games where spread is less than 5 points.
Milwaukee (+9) started game 0-12 from floor, lost 60-43 at Valparaiso in first meeting Jan 21, but Panthers haven't lost since, winning six in a row (5-1 vs spread)- they're 4-2 as a Horizon home favorite, winning at home by 9-24-12-5-1-12 points. Single digit home favorites are 23-15 vs spread in Horizon League. Valpo won last three games by 8-8-2 points.
Trap game for Vanderbilt team that just beat Kentucky at home; Vandy (-8.5) beat Georgia 73-66 at home Jan 12, outscoring Dawgs 25-11 from charity stripe. Georgia won last three SEC games, allowing 62.3 ppg, but they've lost two of last three home games. SEC home favorites of less than 7 points are 7-10. Vandy lost three of its four SEC road games.
Georgetown won last four games vs UConn by 13-3-11-3 points; Hoyas won last seven games overall, with four of seven on road- four of their last six wins are by 5 or less points. UConn is just 2-3 in last five games, losing two of last three at home- they're 2-3 as a Big East home favorite. Big East home faves of 3 or less points are 9-7 against the spread.
Southern Mississippi is 4-1 at home in C-USA, losing only to nemesis Memphis; Eagles lost four in row, seven of last eight vs UTEP. Miners won last two visits here by 11-3 points. C-USA home favorites of less than 5 points are 9-6-1 vs spread. UTEP won six of last seven games, with only loss by point at Tulsa. USM won four of last five games.
Home side won eight of last nine Michigan-Illinois games; Wolverines lost last five visits here, by 15-5-12-18-15 points. Illinois lost six of last nine games overall, losing two of last three at home- they're 5-3 as home favorite in Big 11. Single digit home favorites are 22-10-2 vs spread in Big 11 games. Michigan won/covered five of its last six games.
Northridge (-2.5) shot 58% from floor, made 30-39 from foul line Jan 22 in 80-65 home win over Cal Poly; Matadors are 6-2 in last eight games, 3-1-1 vs spread in last five games as underdog. Big West home favorites of 4+ points are 5-15 vs spread. Cal Poly won/covered last four games; they're 8-4 in Big West despite being underdog in eight of the 12 games.
San Diego State (-1) made 13-25 from arc in 87-77 win at New Mexico Jan 15; Aztecs won last five games, allowing 54.8 ppg- they're 3-2 as a MWC home favorite, winning at home by 6-13-39-7-32 points. Lobos are 1-4 on MWC road, losing away games by 1-10-1-6 points. MWC home favorites of more than 8 points are 5-10 against the spread.
Rider (-7.5) beat Loyola 61-60 at home 12 days ago, after trailing 59-52 with 3:12 left; Broncos won six of last eight games, are 6-1 on MAAC road, with only loss at St Peter's. Underdogs covered five of Loyola's last six home games- Greyhounds won five of last seven home games. MAAC home teams are 13-18 vs spread if spread is 5 or less points.
Underdog is 14-1 vs spread in Siena's MAAC games; only time favorite covered was Saints (+3) 77-69 loss at St Peter's Jan 21, when Saints shot 31% from floor (bench was 3-16). Saints are woeful 0-9 as favorite, 0-6 at home. MAAC home favorites of 5 or less points are 5-10 vs spread. Peacocks won three of their last four home games (1-3 as road dog).
Tips and Trends
Oklahoma St. Cowboys at Texas Longhorns
COWBOYS: Oklahoma St. has lost 6 of their last 9 games overall, a crushing blow to a talented team that expects to be in the NCAA Tournament year after year. The Cowboys are 16-8 SU and 10-8-1 ATS overall this year. Oklahoma St. has lost the past 3 meetings against Texas, including earlier this season. A win tonight in Texas would be a huge boost to their hopes of making the NCAA Tournament field. The Cowboys are 2-6 SU and 3-5 ATS in true road game this season. The Cowboys are 4-5-1 ATS as the listed underdog this season, with tonight being the 1st time this season they are a double digit underdog. F Marshall Moses is averaging 14.9 PPG and 7.8 RPG overall, both team highs for the Cowboys. G Keiton Page is averaging 14.1 PPG for Oklahoma St. this year. The Cowboys are 11-5 ATS in their last 16 Wednesday games. Oklahoma St. is 19-39-2 ATS in their last 60 road games. The Cowboys are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games against a team with a home winning percentage greater than .600%. The Cowboys are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games overall. Oklahoma St. is 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games against the Big 12 Conference.
Cowboys are 7-3 ATS last 10 games following a SU loss.
Under is 4-0 last 4 games against a team with a winning SU record.
Key Injuries - F Darrell Williams (suspension) is out.
Projected Score: 62
LONGHORNS: (-14.5, O/U 130) Texas is playing as good as anyone in the nation, and they have a legitimate shot at a #1 seen for the NCAA Tournament. Texas has won their past 10 games SU, which has placed them #2 in the nation. The Longhorns are 22-3 SU and 15-5 ATS overall this year. 15-5 ATS is easily one of the best marks in the nation, showing just how dominant Texas has truly been this year. Texas is 14-1 SU and 6-4 ATS in home games this season. The Longhorns are 5-3 ATS as a double digit favorite this year. Texas is averaging nearly 76 PPG this year, with F Jordan Hamilton playing a huge role. Hamilton is averaging team highs of 18.9 PPG and 7.6 RPG this year. Hamilton is also shooting better than 41% from the 3 point line this season. F Tristan Thompson is averaging 12.8 PPG and 7.5 RPG for Texas this year. The Longhorns are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 Wednesday games. Texas is 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games overall. The Longhorns are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games in the Big 12 Conference. Texas is 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games following a SU win. The Longhorns are 5-14 ATS in their last 19 games following an ATS loss.
Longhorns are 10-2 ATS last 12 games against a team with a winning percentage above .600%.
Under is 14-3 last 17 games overall.
Key Injuries - None Reported.
Projected Score: 75 (OVER-Total of the Day)
St. Marys Gaels at San Diego Toreros
GAELS: (-17, O/U 133.5) St. Mary's has won their past 4 games, all in WCC play. The Gaels are doing everything they can to qualify with an at large big into the NCAA Tournament. The Gaels are 22-4 SU and 11-9-1 ATS overall this season. St. Mary's has already played in San Diego once this year, as they had one of their worst losses of the season at nearby San Diego St. G Rob Jones is a former Toreros player, so he will likely ensure that his teammates take this game seriously. St. Mary's is 6-3 SU and 5-3-1 ATS in true road game this year. The Gaels are 4-6 ATS as a double digit favorite this season. G Mickey McConnell is averaging team highs of 16.8 PPG and 6.2 APG this season. Jones is averaging 14.2 PPG and a team high 7.8 RPG for St. Mary's this season. The Gaels are 6-2-1 ATS in their last 9 road games. St. Marys is 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games following an ATS win. The Gaels are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games against the West Coast Conference. The Gaels are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games against a team with a winning percentage below .400%. St. Mary's is 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a SU win.
Gaels are 0-4 ATS last 4 games against a team with a losing SU record.
Under is 8-2 last 10 games following an ATS win.
Key Injuries - G Jorden Page (knee) is out.
Projected Score: 78 (SIDE of the Day)
TOREROS: San Diego is simply one of the worst teams in D1 this season. The Toreros have been a proud mid major for the past decade or so, but this year has been nothing more than a lost season. San Diego is 5-21 SU and 6-17 ATS overall this season. 6-17 ATS is absolutely terrible for a 5 win team. The Toreros have been nothing more than a sidekick to their neighbor, the San Diego St. Aztecs. San Diego is 4-7 SU and 1-7 ATS in home games this season. The Toreros have been the listed underdog in all but one game this season. San Diego is 5-7 ATS as a double digit underdog this year. PG Darian Morris is averaging team highs of 10.3 PPG and 3 APG for the Toreros this season. C Chris Gabriel is playing his best basketball of the year, and is averaging 7.3 PPG and 3.7 RPG for the entire season. The Toreros are 15-39-1 ATS in their last 55 games overall. San Diego is 8-21-1 ATS in their last 30 games against the West Coast Conference. The Toreros are 7-23-1 ATS in their last 31 home games. San Diego is 0-4 ATS in their last 4 home games against a team with a road winning percentage greater than .600%.
Toreros are 0-8 ATS last 8 games following an ATS win.
Under is 13-3 last 16 games overall.
Key Injuries - G Matt Dorr (illness) is questionable.
Projected Score: 54
Wednesday Totals to Watch
By Bruce Marshall
It seems to happen like clockwork in college hoops; numerous team "totals" trends endure for several weeks or even months. Indeed, they’re often more-pronounced than team pointspread streaks, and the 2010-11 campaign has been no different.
Following is a look at some of the more-prominent "over" and "under" trends on display for Wednesday night’s expansive college card...
St. Bonaventure at St. Louis... Bona has gone "under" 7-2 its last nine games.
Pittsburgh at South Florida... USF has gone "under" 5-1 its last six outings.
UAB at Memphis... Memphis trending "under" (8-2 last 10 outings) lately.
Detroit at Youngstown State... The Penguins are "over" 5-1 in their last six games.
Kent State at Miami-Ohio... Charlie Coles’ Miami Redhawks are trending "over" (9-2 last eleven) lately.
Central Michigan at Eastern Michigan... The Chippewas have been going "over" (17-5) since the start of the season.
South Carolina at Tennessee... Stark "under" trending lately for Tennessee (9-0 last nine).
Xavier at St. Joseph’s... Phil Martelli’s Hawks are "under" 8-3 their last eleven "totals" decisions.
Rice at Marshall... The Owls have been trending over" (6-2 last eight) lately.
Iowa State at Texas A&M... The Cyclones have gone "over" in their last five games.
Illinois State at Creighton... The Blue Jays are "over" 7-3 in their last ten.
Indiana State at Southern Illinois... The Sycamores are trending "over" (6-2 last eight) in recent weeks.
Colorado State at TCU... The Rams are in the early stages on an "under" streak (4-0 last four).
Valparaiso at UW-Milwaukee... Homer Drew’s Crusaders are "over" 6-2 their last ten.
Loyola-Chicago at Illinois-Chicago... Note that the Ramblers are "over" 4-1 in their last five outings.
East Carolina at Tulsa... The Golden Hurricane is "under" 5-1-1 in its last seven games.
UTEP at Southern Miss... Tim Floyd’s Miners are "under" 7-2 in their last nine games.
Auburn at Ole Miss... Note that Andy Kennedy’s Rebels are trending "under" (5-1 last six) the past few weeks.
Michigan at Illinois... John Beilein’s Wolverines are "over" 8-2 in their last ten outings.
Oklahoma State at Texas... Note that Texas has been trending "under" (13-3 last 16) since late December.
Wyoming at Utah... Jim Boylen’s Utes are "under" 9-4 in their last 13 "totals" decisions.
UC Irvine at Pacific... Both trending "over" lately; Pacific 6-1 its last seven, Irvine 8-3 its last eleven.
New Mexico at San Diego State... Although these two went "over" last month in Albuquerque, note that the Aztecs are nonetheless "under" 12-3 in their last 15.
Saint Mary’s at San Diego... The only real "clashing totals trends" this evening; the Gaels are "over" 5-2 their last seven, while the Toreros are "under" 10-2 their last 12 decisions.