NCAAB News and Notes Wednesday 2/23

Top-ranked Duke hosts Temple
By: Michael Robinson

The Duke Blue Devils are back on top of the basketball world as they host the Temple Owls on Wednesday in a rare late February non-conference affair.

Top-ranked Duke (25-2 straight-up, 15-11 against the spread) made a leap from No. 5 in the rankings after major carnage that saw Kansas, Ohio State, Texas and Pittsburgh lose last week.

Meanwhile, Coach Mike Krzyzewski’s squad is humming along with a six-game winning streak (5-1 ATS). The only failure to ‘cover’ was a 79-73 comeback win over North Carolina as 10½-point home favorites on Feb 9.

Duke’s last contest came was Sunday versus Georgia Tech. Nolan Smith kept up his charge for National Player of the Year with 28 points, while Kyle Singler (15 points) continued to play Robin to Smith’s Batman. The 79-57 margin ‘covered’ the large 18 ½-point spread.

The 136 combined points scored went ‘under’ the 146-point total. The ‘under’ is 5-1 in Duke’s last six games with the defense turning up the screws (59.3 PPG).

The better defensive effort is due to its last non-conference game, a 93-78 loss as eight point ‘chalk’ at St. John’s on January 30th. The Red Storm are proving a lot of doubters wrong, but there was no excuse for Duke to allow them to shoot 58.2 percent from the field.

Coach K sent a message to his squad after that game, and the results have been shown heading into Wednesday.

Duke is 15-0 SU at home this year (7-7 ATS) and has won 34 straight there, last losing to North Carolina back in February 2009.

The Owls (21-5 SU, 15-11 ATS) are on the other end of the top-25 polls, currently at No. 24. They’re in second place in the Atlantic 10 at 11-2 SU, right behind Xavier (11-1 SU) and ahead of Richmond (10-3 SU).

Temple ranks 21st in the nation in scoring defense (61 PPG). It stymied the opposition in its last two, home wins over Richmond (73-53) and St. Joseph’s (66-52). The team allows just 58.5 PPG at home versus 65.8 PPG in true road games.

There’s a lot of injury news for this game. Big man Micheal Eric (7.1 PPG, 5.9 RPG) missed the last two games and is now out for the year (knee). Forward Scootie Randall (11.6 PPG, 5.1 RPG) missed last game (foot) and is doubtful Wednesday.

The starting lineup last game against St. Joseph had 6-foot-9 Lavoy Allen and 6-foot-6 Rahlir Jefferson up front. They played 38 and 31 minutes respectively with no big men in reserve. That may work in the Atlantic 10, but could be costly against a Duke team which can throw out some size.

Temple will need a big game from guards Ramone Moore and Juan Fernandez. Moore (15.4 PPG) leads the team in scoring and is averaging 22.3 PPG the last four games. The point guard Fernandez (10.2 PPG) has struggled from the field this season (36.1 percent), but has played much better the last two games (16 PPG, 70.6 percent shooting).

The Blue Devils are 8-0 SU in their last eight games against the Owls, but just 4-4 ATS. They’re 4-0 ATS in their last four against the Atlantic 10.

Both teams have gone ‘over’ the total recently in non-conference games. Duke is 4-0 in the last four and Temple 5-0-1 in the last six.

Duke’s only injury is fab freshman Kyrie Irving (toe), who has been out since early December. Smith has adapted well at the point and Irving is almost definitely out for the year.

ESPN2 will have the 4 p.m. (PT) tip-off from famed Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Baylor and Missouri in Big 12 betting clash
By: David Schwab

The Baylor Bears will try and get off the bubble with a quality win over the Missouri Tigers in this Big 12 matchup on Wednesday night. Tip-off from Mizzou Arena in Columbia, MO. is set for 6 p.m. (PT) and the game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2.

Baylor’s season continues to spike up and down with a 5-6 straight-up record over its last 11 games. The Bears are coming off a 78-69 loss to Texas Tech last Saturday as a 12 ½-point home favorite that may have done some serious damage to their postseason NCAA Tournament hopes. Baylor is currently 17-9 SU overall and 6-12 against the spread, and in the middle of the Big 12 pack at 6-6 SU.

Senior guard LaceDarius Dunn leads the team in scoring with an average of 20.8 points a game. Freshman forward-center Perry Jones is averaging 14.3 points and seven rebounds and junior forward Anthony Jones has 8.5 points a game and 5.5 rebounds. Another junior, Quincy Acy has been a key contributor off the bench with 12.4 points and 7.4 rebounds a game.

The Bears are shooting 47.7 percent from the field and averaging 71 points a game. They are hitting 35.6 percent of their shots from three-point range but converting on just 69.4 percent of their attempts from the foul-line. Baylor is ranked 134th in the nation in rebounds with an average of 35.7 a game.

Missouri is back on track in the Big 12 with three straight conference wins after losing three of four games earlier this month. This past Saturday, it posted a 76-70 victory over Iowa State as a 4½-point road favorite after knocking-off Texas Tech 92-84 as a 16½-point home favorite on Feb.15. The Tigers are now 21-6 SU overall but just 11-11 ATS. They are in fourth-place in the conference with a record of 7-5 SU.

This team has been well balanced on offense with five players scoring in double-figures led by junior guard Marcus Denmon’s 16.6 points a game. Junior forward Ricardo Ratliffe is averaging 11.4 points and a team-high 6.4 rebounds a game, while sophomore guard Michael Dixon leads the team in assists with 3.8 a game and is averaging 10.4 points.

The Tigers have solid shooting numbers across the board; hitting 47.3 percent of their attempts from the field, 37.5 percent from three-point range, and 72.7 percent from the foul-line. They are ranked fifth in the nation in scoring with an average of 83.5 points a game and are pulling down close to 37 rebounds as well.

Baylor is 2-2 ATS in its last four games on the road and 2-5 ATS in its last seven games overall. The total has gone ‘over’ in four of its last five games.

Missouri is 4-1 ATS in its last five home games and 3-2 ATS in its last five games overall. The total has gone ‘over’ in four of its last six games.

Head-to-head, the Bears have won three of the last five games SU, but the Tigers are 3-0 ATS in the last three. The total has stayed ‘under’ in the last two games including Baylor’s 64-62 victory last season as a four-point home favorite.

Missouri should open as a six- to seven-point favorite this time around and have little trouble covering at home against a Bears’ team that has been struggling with consistency over the past few weeks.

College Basketball Knowledge

Michigan (+12) lost 66-50 in Madison Jan 5, after leading by 2 at half; Wolverines won four of last five games, are 7-1 vs spread in last eight- they've won last three home games. Wisconsin is 6-2 as home favorite, winning home games by 8-16-10-9-7-26-4-10 pts. Favorites are 13-5-1 vs spread in Big 11 games where spread is 3 or less points.

Temple lost its last four games vs Duke, but only one of the losses was by more than 10 points; Owls won seven games, are 3-2 vs spread as an underdog this year. A-14 road underdogs of more than 13 points are 4-2 vs spread in non-league games; ACC double digit home faves are 15-18 out of conference. Duke covered five of its last six games.

Duquesne lost three of last four games after winning/covering first eight A-14 games; Dukes are 5-1 as home favorite, winning home tilts by 22-12-16-18-25 points, before losing to Xavier. Rhode Island lost last two road games by 10-13 points- only one of their last four losses was by more than 10 points. A-14 double digit home favorites are 10-13.

Providence lost its last four games, with three losses by 3 or less points or in OT; Friars are 3-4 at home in Big East, losing by 2-4-3-12 points. Notre Dame won seven of last eight games; they covered six of their last seven as a favorite. Irish won three of their last four road games. Big East home underdogs of 5 or less points are 7-4-1 vs spread.

Wichita State (-3) won 68-54 at Creighton Jan 12, making 65.5% of its 2-point shots, just 5-24 from arc; Shockers lost their last two games at home- they're 4-4 as MVC home favorite. MVC home favorites of more than 5 points are 11-21-1 vs spread. Creighton lost its last five games on MVC road, by 2-1-5-8-3 points- they're 6-2 vs spread on MVC road.

BYU has huge game with San Diego State next; better not look past this Colorado State team that lost 94-85 (+7) at home in first meeting Jan 22. Fredette scored 42 (16-17 from line) in that game; he has a leg injury but is probable here. BYU is 2-3 as home favorite, winning by 10-16-13-14-13 at home. MWC home favorites of more than 5 points are 11-21-1.

Georgetown won nine of last ten games; they're 2-5 as Big East home favorite, winning at home by 11-25-3-2-9 points, losing to Pitt and West Virginia. Big East home favorites of 9 or less points are 31-25 vs spread. Cincinnati won three of last four games but is 1-4 as Big East underdog, losing away games by 11-15-8-12 points (won 3 of last 4 on road).

Nebraska (+7.5) lost 69-53 at Kansas State Feb 2, turning ball over 22 times, but Huskers won last three games, are 5-1 at home in Big 12, with only loss to Kansas. Big 12 home teams are 8-2 vs spread in games with spread of 3 or less points. K-State is 4-1 in February, with its two road games decided by total of 3 points- they're 1-5 on road in Big 12 play.

Missouri won its last three games, scored 85.4 ppg in last five; they are 4-2 as Big 12 home favorite, winning by 8-16-33-16-23-8 in Columbia. Baylor is 4-6 in last ten games, losing last two games by 9 points each- they're 2-4 on Big 12 road, losing away games by 15-8-7-9 pts. Big 12 home favorites of less than 8 points are 17-7-1 against the spread.

NC State (+10.5) lost 84-64 in Chapel Hill Jan 29, shooting 36%; State is 2-7 vs spread as ACC underdog, losing home games by 14-8 (3-2 in its ACC home games). Tar Heels won eight of last nine games (lost by 6 at Duke)- they're 4-2 on ACC road, with wins by 6-3-32-2. ACC home underdogs are 11-15-1 vs spread this season, 6-10 if spread is 5 or less.

Maryland is 1-4 as ACC home favorite (3-3 SU) winning home games in ACC by 2-21-7 points; Terrapins allowed 76+ points in four of last five games. Florida State is 3-3 on ACC road, with favorites covering five of the six; Seminoles are 2-3 as ACC underdogs, 1-3 on road. ACC home favorites of 8 or less points are 11-7-1 against the spread.

New Mexico (+9.5) turned ball over 20 times, were just 3-12 behind arc in 63-62 loss at UNLV Jan 22; Lobos lost last three games, scoring jsut 61.3 ppg- they're 4-2 at home in MWC, 2-5 as a favorite. UNLV won three of last four games; they're 0-4 vs BYU/Aztecs, 8-1 vs rest of the MWC. MWC hosts are 4-8 in games where spread is 4 or less points.

Chattanooga (+11) lost 88-56 at Wofford Jan 20, its first loss after a 7-0 start in league play; Terriers shot 58% for game, made 12-21 on the arc. Mocs are 8-0 at home in SoCon- they were dogs in three of eight games. Wofford is 7-1 on SoCon road, 3-3 as road favorite, with only road loss at Charleston. SoCon home underdogs of 6 or less points are 8-13.

Wednesday's Wagers
By Brian Edwards

We begin our look at tonight’s monster card by talking about a team I’ve enjoyed a lot of success supporting in recent weeks, Michigan. Since losing six in a row, the Wolverines have responded by winning six of their last eight games while also going 7-1 against the spread.

Tim Hardaway Jr. was the catalyst in Saturday’s 75-72 overtime win at Iowa as a one-point underdog. Hardaway scored an efficient 30 points on just 14 shots (nine makes). He didn’t force anything and let the offense come to him even when Michigan fell behind by double digits in the first half.

Darius Morris also had a spectacular game against the Hawkeyes. The sophomore point guard finished with 20 points, nine assists, five rebounds and a pair of steals. Jordan Morgan added 18 points and eight boards.

Michigan (17-11 straight up, 15-8 against the spread) returns to the floor tonight in a crucial league game vs. Wisconsin in Ann Arbor. As of early this morning, most betting shops had the Badgers installed as 3½-point favorites with a total of 121.

Wisconsin (20-6 SU, 13-9 ATS) is coming off Sunday’s 76-66 home win over Penn State as an 11½-point home favorite. Bo Ryan’s squad was ahead of the number for most of the game, but a slew of 3-pointers by PSU’s Talor Battle helped the Nittany Lions notch the backdoor cover.

The ‘over’ is 13-9-1 overall for Michigan, 8-3-1 in its home games. The ‘over’ is 12-9-1 overall for the Badgers, cashing in each of their last three outings. The ‘under’ is on a 7-1 run in the last eight head-to-head meetings between these programs.

These rivals met in Madison on Jan. 5 with Wisconsin capturing a 66-50 win as a 12-point home favorite. Michigan actually led by two at intermission, only to get outscored by 18 in the second half. Jordan Taylor had 20 points and eight rebounds for the winners.

The Big Ten Network will provide television coverage at 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

In a non-conference matchup tonight, top-ranked Duke take on Temple from out of the A-10 (which is as strong as its been in a decade this year). As of early this morning, most books had the Blue Devils favored by 14 with a total of 138½.

Duke (25-2 SU, 15-11 ATS) has won six in a row since losing at St. John’s on Jan. 30, going 5-1 ATS. The Blue Devils fell behind early at home against Ga. Tech on Sunday night, but they surged in front late in the first half and eventually took a 79-57 victory as 18½-point favorites.

Nolan Smith scored 28 points, grabbed seven rebounds and dished out four assists against the Yellow Jackets. Senior forward Kyle Singler added 15 points and nine boards.

Temple (21-5 SU, 15-11 ATS) has won eight consecutive games with six of those victories coming by double-digit margins. The Owls are coming off Sunday’s 66-52 home win over St. Joseph’s as 15½-point home favorites. Ramone Moore, who leads Temple in scoring with a 15.4 points-per-game average, had a team-high 17 points against the Hawks.

Temple will be without junior forward Scootie Randall, who will miss his second straight game with a foot injury. Randall averages 11.6 points and 5.1 rebounds per game.

Fran Duphy’s team has wins over Maryland, Georgetown and Richmond. The Owls, who have lost eight straight against Duke, have been underdogs six times this year, posting a 2-4 SU record and a 3-3 ATS mark.

Tip-off on ESPN2 is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Eastern.

The second leg of the Big Ten Network’s doubleheader will feature Purdue at Indiana at 8:30 p.m. Eastern. As of early this morning, most books were listing the Boilermakers as 5½-point favorites with a total of 136 ½.

Purdue (22-5 SU, 16-8 ATS) has won four in a row both SU and ATS, including Sunday’s 76-63 win over Ohio St. as a one-point home ‘chalk.’ E’Twaun Moore exploded for a career-high 38 points against the Buckeyes, draining 13-of-18 shots from the field.

Indiana (12-15 SU, 10-11 ATS) has lost four consecutive games and is coming off a lackluster effort in Saturday’s 70-64 loss to Northwestern as a 2½-point home favorite. Verdell Jones III had 18 points and six assists for the Hoosiers, but they couldn’t contain John Shurna when stops were at a premium at crunch time.

The ‘over’ has cashed in three straight for Purdue to improve to 13-10-1 overall. As for IU, it has watched the ‘over’ go 11-10 overall, although the ‘under’ is 7-3 in its home assignments.

Purdue has won four in a row over IU, but the Hoosiers are 6-2 ATS in the last eight head-to-head encounters with their bitter in-state rivals.

Kentucky is a road favorite once again tonight when it ventures to Fayetteville to face Arkansas. As of early this morning, most spots had the Wildcats listed as seven-point favorites.

Kentucky (19-7 SU, 10-11 ATS) has lost five of its six SEC road games both SU and ATS. However, the ‘Cats were at Rupp Arena on Saturday when they crushed South Carolina by a 90-59 count as 14½-point home favorites.

Darius Miller led the way against the Gamecocks with 22 points, nine rebounds and three blocked shots. Terrence Jones finished with 19 points and 12 boards.

Arkansas (16-10 SU, 7-12 ATS) has won 14 of its 16 home games, going 5-4 versus the number at Bud Walton Arena. The Razorbacks are in bounce-back mode following Saturday’s 69-56 loss at Alabama as 10½-point underdogs. The Hogs actually led for a good chunk of this game and the Tide didn’t pull away and get ahead of the number until the final two minutes of play.

This SEC showdown will come off the board at 8:00 p.m. Eastern. Gamblers with ESPN’s Full-Court Package can watch the game on channel 724 on Direct TV.

vegasinsider.com.

Wednesday Total Trends
By Bruce Marshall

St. Bonaventure at Fordham - The Bonnies have gone "under" 7-3 their last 10 games.

DePaul at St. John's - Conflicting "totals" trends between these Big East foes; Blue Demons "over" 8 of their last 10, while Steve Lavin's Red Storm is "under" 9-5 its last 14.

Virginia Commonealth at Drexel - Conflicting "totals" trends between these Colonial rivals; VCU is "over" 6 of its last 7, while Bruiser Flint's Drexel is "under" 8 of its last 9.

Hofstra at NC-Wilmington - Both trending "over lately (Hofstra 5-1 last six, Wilmington 5-0-1 last 6).

Miami-Ohio at Akron - Lots of "overs" both way in recent weeks for these MAC foes, with Charlie Coles' Miami-O RedHawks "over" 10-3 their last 13 (Miami-"O-ver-hio?"), and the Zippity-do-das "over" their last four.

Toledo at Western Michigan - The Broncos are "over" 7-1 their last 8 outings.

Bowling Green at Ohio - Both of these MAC rivals are trending "over" lately (Falcons their last 8, Bobcats their last five).

Eastern Michigan at Ball State - The Eagles are "over" in their last four games.

Temple at Duke - Owls "over" 6-2-1 their last nine outings.

Virginia at Georgia Tech - The Yellow Jackets are "under" 8-3 their last 11.

St. Joseph's at UMass - Balding Phil Martelli's Hawks are "under" 9 of their last 12.

Miami-Florida at Boston College - BC is "over" in 4 of its last 5 games.

UTEP at East Carolina - Tim Floyd's Miners are "over" their last two but "under" 8 of their last 12.

Colorado at Texas Tech - Pat Knight's Red Raiders are "over" their last two but had gone "under" their previous 8 games.

Central Michigan at Northern Illinois - The Chippe-"flaws" are "under" 18-6 this season after Saturday's low-scoring BracketBuster at Niagara, although that conflicts with NIU's 5 "overs" in the Huskies' last six games.

Evansville at Drake - The Purple Aces are "over" in 6 of their last 8.

Creighton at Wichita State - The Bluejays are "over" in 9 of their last 13 outings.

Missouri State at Southern Illinois - Conflicting Missouri Valley trends; Bears "over" 9 of their last 11, Salukis "under" 5 of their last 7.

Colorado State at BYU - Note that the Rams are "under" in their last six games.

UNLV at New Mexico - Lon Kruger's not-so-Runnin' Rebels are "under" 12-4 their last 16.

Kansas State at Nebraska - Note that Lon Kruger's alma mater K-State is "under" 14-6 this season.

North Carolina at N.C. State - Tar Heels have gone "under" their last four.

Air Force at Wyoming - The Force is "over" 13-6 this season.

New Mexico State at San Jose State - For the handful of fans tonight at the Event Center, they'll be watching a San Jose team that is "over" 6-1 its last 7 and 10-3 its last 13.