Wednesday Wagers
By Brian Edwards
**North Carolina State at Virginia**
Las Vegas Sports Consultants opened Virginia (13-6 straight up, 8-6 against the spread) as a 5 ½-point favorite.
Tony Bennett is doing a sensational job in his first season since coming to Charlottesville from Washington State. Bennett has the Cavaliers in the hunt for their first NCAA Tournament berth since 2005. They were a part of Joe Lunardi’s “next four out” in this week’s edition of Bracketology on ESPN.com. (For clarification, Lunardi’s bracket isn’t anything set in stone by any means, but it’s a nice barometer to measure teams at in early February. Also, the “next four out” implies being in the range of the fifth-to-eighth squads left out of the field.)
Virginia captured a 75-60 win Sunday night at North Carolina as a live eight-point road underdog. The Cavs hooked up money-line backers with a generous plus-300 return (paid $300 on $100 wagers). Sylven Landesberg, a sophomore slasher, scored a game-high 29 points against the Tar Heels.
UVA is 10-2 SU and 4-3 ATS at home this year.
North Carolina St. (14-8 SU, 10-8-1 ATS) stepped out of ACC play Saturday to mash North Carolina Central 77-42 in a non-lined affair. Prior to that victory, the Wolfpack lost at home 77-63 to North Carolina as a one-point home underdog.
Sidney Lowe’s team is led by junior forward Tracy Smith, who leads the Wolfpack in scoring (17.5 points per game), rebounding (8.4 RPG) and FG-percentage (56.5%).
N.C. St. owns a 2-1 spread record in its three ACC road assignments.
These ACC adversaries already met earlier this year in Raleigh, with UVA beating the Wolfpack 70-62 on Jan. 9. The Cavs covered the number as 2 ½-point road underdogs, while the 132 combined points slipped ‘over’ the 129-point total. Landesberg scored a game-high 23 points in the first meeting.
The ‘over’ is 8-4-1 overall for UVA, 5-0-1 in its home outings.
The ‘over’ is 9-6 overall for N.C. St.
Tip-off is slated for 7:00 p.m. Eastern on ESPNU.
**Texas A&M at Missouri**
LVSC opened Missouri (16-5 SU, 9-6 ATS) as an eight-point favorite.
Mike Anderson’s team is unbeaten in 14 home games with a 7-2 spread record. The Tigers bounced back from last week’s loss at Kansas by spanking Oklahoma St. 95-80 Saturday as 7 ½-point home ‘chalk.’ Kim English led five double-figure scorers with 20 points.
Texas A&M (15-6 SU, 9-8 ATS) has lost all three of its Big 12 road games, going 1-2 ATS. The Aggies got stroked at Kansas St. (88-65) and lost 76-69 at Oklahoma St., but they took Texas to overtime in Austin and covered the number in a 72-67 loss as 14 ½-point puppies.
Mark Turgeon’s squad beat up on Texas Tech by an 85-70 count Saturday as a nine-point home favorite. Donald Sloan was the catalyst with a game-high 28 points. The 155 combined points sailed ‘over’ the 145-point tally.
Sloan is averaging a team-high 18.7 points per game for the Aggies, who have been playing without senior guard Derrick Roland since he broke his leg in a 73-64 loss at Washington back on Dec. 22. Roland was the team’s best perimeter defender and was averaging 10.5 PPG.
English is scoring at a 14.8 PPG clip to pace the Tigers, who lost three starters from last year’s team that went to the Sweet 16 before losing to UConn.
Texas A&M has won five in a row over Missouri and the Aggies have taken the cash in eight consecutive head-to-head meetings. When these teams met in Columbia two years ago, Texas A&M captured a 77-69 win as a 1 ½-point road favorite.
The ‘over’ is 7-6 overall for the Tigers, 5-2 in their home games.
The ‘under’ is 10-6 overall for the Aggies, but they have watched the ‘over’ go 3-2 in their five true road assignments.
ESPNU will provide television coverage at 9:00 p.m. Eastern.
**Kansas at Colorado**
LVSC opened top-ranked Kansas (20-1 SU, 9-8-1 ATS) as a 13 1/2–point favorite.
Colorado (11-10 SU, 8-8-1 ATS) has been outstanding at home this season, winning 10 of 11 games while compiling a 4-2-1 ATS mark. The Buffaloes have been home underdogs twice, going 1-1 SU and 1-0-1 ATS. They beat Baylor 78-71 as three-point ‘dogs and lost 87-81 to Kansas St. as six-point puppies.
Since suffering its lone loss at Tennessee, Bill Self’s team has won six in a row while posting a 3-2-1 spread record. KU is coming off an emotional road win Saturday in Manhattan. The Jayhawks survived overtime against Kansas St., collecting an 81-79 triumph. However, the Wildcats covered the spread as 3 ½-point home underdogs.
Cole Aldrich led the way for KU against its in-state rivals, producing 18 points, 11 rebounds and three blocked shots. Marcus Morris also had a double-double with 13 points and 10 boards, while Sherron Collins finished with 16 points and four assists.
Jeff Bzdelik’s squad snapped a three-game losing streak last week by beating Nebraska 72-60 Wednesday as a three-point home favorite. Freshman guard Alec Burks, the prep Player of the Year from out of Missouri last season, scored a game-high 21 points for the Buffs against the Cornhuskers.
CU couldn’t follow up on the win over Nebraska, dropping a 64-63 decision Saturday at Iowa St. However, the Buffs did take the cash for the third straight game as 6 ½-point road underdogs.
Burks, who averages 16.3 points and 4.7 rebounds per contest, left the game against the Cyclones in the opening minutes and did not return. The knee injury has Burks “questionable” for KU. Bzdelik told BuffStampede.com on Monday, “Alec is doing great; [it is] just a very mild sprain. He'll do some light work at practice [Monday].”
The ‘under’ has posted a 5-2 record in Colorado’s home games but is just 8-8 overall. KU has watched the ‘under’ cash at a 10-7 clip overall this season.
The ‘under’ is 8-0 in the last eight games played in Boulder between these Big 12 rivals.
ESPN2 will have the telecast at 9:00 p.m. Eastern.
vegasinsider.com
Game Of The Day: Pittsburgh at West Virginia
By David Chan
Pitt travels to West Virginia with lots on the line for both schools. Anything we learn from this game can get put to reasonably quick use: the second game in the home-and-home series goes Feb. 12 in Pittsburgh.
Missin’ Dixon?
The price on this game could be affected by Jermaine Dixon’s ankle. The status and health of Pitt’s shutdown defender is on everyone’s mind. Dixon sat out Sunday’s 70-61 loss against South Florida.
USF junior Dominique Jones tallied 37 points with Travon Woodall – Dixon’s replacement – guarding him.
Pitt beat writer Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writes Dixon was a late scratch against South Florida and he expects the guard to play against the Mountaineers.
More discipline needed
The Panthers were whistled for 35 fouls on Sunday against USF. Pitt’s previous season high was 24 fouls committed against Indiana.
"Defensively, we just didn't get it done," Pitt coach Jamie Dixon told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "Jones hurt us and the free throws hurt us. The main thing we said was we didn't want to foul him and he got 17 free-throw attempts.”
Skin of the teeth
West Virginia edged Louisville 77-74 on Saturday. The Mountaineers, who were leading 75-74, were awarded a possession when the ball went out of bounds with 6.7 seconds left. The referee closest to the action didn’t see it, and the ref across the floor called it very hesitantly. Replays proved inconclusive.
Louisville coach Rick Pitino believed both refs didn't see the play and Louisville should have been awarded the ball because they had the possession arrow.
WVU leading scorer Da'Sean Butler hit a late hoop to seal the victory but after the game admitted the close call was a little nerve-racking.
"I was just trying to relax" Butler, who has three game winners for the Mountaineers this season, told The Charleston Gazette. "Honestly, I don't like stress and pressure that much. I like to be a little calm if I can."
Man down
The Panthers have lost three of their last four and much of that has to do with Ashton Gibbs shooting slump. Pitt's leading scorer averaged 20 points on 51 percent shooting in his first five conference games. His scoring has dropped to 14 per game with a 30 percent clip from the field over the last four games.
"He's just going to have to be patient and let things come to him and we're going to have execute better to get him shots," Pitt coach Jamie Dixon told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "I think he's taking pretty good shots. He needs to get to the free-throw line more. Those are things that get you out of slumps. It's good to get those free throws and get a feel of the ball going through the basket."
New edition
Freshman Deniz Kilichli makes his WVU debut Wednesday night after completing a 20-game suspension by the NCAA for playing in a professional game in Turkey. The big man is talented and could provide coach Huggins with some much-needed low-post scoring.
"I think it's going to be a somewhat touchy thing trying to work him into the rotation and make sure he understands everything that he needs to understand,'' Huggins said of the 6-foot-9, 260 lbs. youngster. "But we're looking forward to having him. He gives us the size that we haven't had and certainly the girth that we haven't had and, I think, an ability to score the ball close.''
Trends
West Virginia is 17-3 straight up this year and a perfect 14-0 when it holds the opposition below 70 points.
Pittsburgh is 8-3 against the spread in its last 11 games against the Mountaineers.
The Panthers, despite their recent struggles, are 8-2-1 ATS in their last 11 games while the Mountaineers, who are 7-3 straight up over the last 10, are on a 3-7 ATS skid.
(22) Pittsburgh (16-5, 10-7-2 ATS) at (6) West Virginia (17-3, 7-12 ATS)
West Virginia goes after its sixth straight victory when it takes on slumping Panthers in a Big East contest at the WVU Coliseum.
After ripping off eight consecutive victories, Pittsburgh has gone 1-3 SU (2-2 ATS) in its last four starts, all in the Big East, including Sunday’s 70-61 road loss to South Florida as a 2½-point chalk. Over their last five games (including two roadies), the Panthers are getting outscored by a point per game (67.6-66.6) and shooting just 27 percent from three-point range.
West Virginia rallied past Louisville 77-74 Saturday, but fell short as a 6½-point home favorite for its fourth ATS setback in the last five games. For the year, the Mountaineers have averaged 73.7 ppg, while giving up 62.1, and at home, they’ve outscored foes by an average of 15 points (78.3-58.3). However, in their last five outings – including three at home – the margin has tightened to just over six ppg (69.8-63.4).
These teams met three times last season, with Pitt winning and cashing in both regular-season clashes, including a 79-67 road win catching one point. However, in the Big East tournament, West Virginia rolled 74-60 as a 4½-point underdog. Still, the Panthers are on ATS rolls of 13-6-1 overall in this rivalry and 8-3 at WVU Coliseum. The SU winner is 8-1 ATS in the last nine meetings, and the chalk is 11-5-1 ATS in the last 16 contests.
The Mountaineers are on ATS slides of 4-9 overall, 2-5 at home, 1-4 in the Big East and 1-6 following a SU win. On the flip side, the Panthers are on pointspread tears of 8-2-1 overall, 4-1 on the highway, 6-2-1 in the Big East, 20-8-2 after a SU loss, 3-0-1 after a non-cover and 9-2-2 against winning teams.
The under for Pitt is on a 7-3 run against winning teams, and the under for West Virginia is on streaks of 5-2 overall, 5-1 in Wednesday starts, 4-1 in the Big East and 7-3 against winning teams. The total has also stayed low in seven of the last 10 overall meetings in this rivalry. However, the over is 7-3 in the last 10 contests between these two in West Virginia.
ATS ADVANTAGE: PITTSBURGH
Mississippi State (16-5, 9-7 ATS) at (18) Vanderbilt (16-4, 11-7 ATS)
The Commodores, who have played four of their last five on the highway, return home to Memorial Gym for an SEC battle with Mississippi State.
The Bulldogs went on a 12-1 SU tear (8-3 ATS in lined action) from late November through mid-January to get its season rolling. But since then, they’ve dropped two of three SU and ATS, with both losses coming on the highway in the SEC (at Alabama and Arkansas). On Saturday, Mississippi State bounced back with a 67-51 home win over LSU, covering as a hefty 12-point chalk. For the season, the team puts up 73.4 ppg while allowing 61.0, holding foes to just 36.5 percent from the floor, a figure that ranks third in the nation.
Vanderbilt had its 10-game winning streak (7-2 ATS) snapped Saturday at then-No. 1 Kentucky, falling 85-72 as an 8½-point underdog. The loss followed an 85-76 road upset of No. 14 Tennessee as a 6½-point pup. The Commodores are averaging 79.1 ppg on a stout 49.6 percent shooting from the floor (eighth in the nation), while allowing 67.8 ppg, and on their home floor this season, they’ve outscored opponents by an average of more than 20 ppg (85.2-64.8).
Mississippi State has cashed in the last three meetings in this rivalry (2-1 SU), including a 73-66 home win last year as a four-point favorite, and the Bulldogs are 7-3 ATS in the last 10 clashes. The host has covered in three of the last four contests.
The Commodores are on a 5-12-1 ATS nosedive following a SU loss, but they are otherwise on ATS upswings of 7-2 overall, 4-1 at home, 7-2 within the SEC, 6-0 on Wednesday and 7-2 against winning teams. The Bulldogs are on ATS runs of 9-4 on the highway 4-0 on Wednesday, 10-3 after a SU win and 11-5 against winning teams, but they also shoulder negative pointspread streaks of 2-5 overall, 1-4 in the SEC and 0-4 coming off a SU win.
Vandy is on “over” rolls of 5-1 overall, 4-0 in the SEC, 5-0 after a non-cover and 7-1 after a SU loss, while Mississippi State is on a 5-2 “over” stretch against winning teams and has seen eight of its last nine Wednesday games top the posted total. In addition, the total has gone high in five of the last seven meetings in this rivalry. However, the under is 8-2-1 in the Bulldogs’ last 11 roadies.
ATS ADVANTAGE: VANDERBILT and OVER
Texas A&M (15-6, 9-8 ATS) at Missouri (16-5, 9-6 ATS)
The streaking Tigers put their 33-game home winning streak on the line when they play host to the Aggies in a Big 12 matchup at Mizzou Arena.
Texas A&M rolled Texas Tech 85-70 giving nine points at home Saturday to stem a 2-3 SU and 1-4 ATS hiccup, all within the Big 12. For the year, the Aggies have outscored opponents by an average of about eight ppg (72.6-64.8). But on the highway, where they’ve lost five in a row (including four true roadies), they’re averaging 69.0 ppg while allowing 75.4. Also, A&M is shooting just 25 percent from long distance in its last five outings, while allowing 42.1 percent from beyond the arc.
Missouri bounced back from an 84-65 beatdown at Kansas as a 12-point pup Jan. 25 to rip Oklahoma State 95-80 Saturday, easily cashing as a 7½-point home favorite. The Tigers sport one of the top offenses in the nation, averaging 81.5 ppg (13th) while giving up just 64.9 ppg, and they’ve been even more prolific on their home floor, piling up 87.9 ppg and allowing 61 en route to a 14-0 SU mark (7-2 ATS in lined action). Going back to March 2008, the Tigers have won 33 in a row at Mizzou Arena, going 12-0 SU and 9-3 ATS when hosting Big 12 rivals
Texas A&M is on a 5-0 SU and 8-0 ATS tear in this rivalry, with Missouri last covering in a 74-50 rout in 2002 as an 18½-point home chalk. Last March, A&M won 96-86 getting two points at home, and it has prevailed in two of its last three trips to Missouri (3-0 ATS), including a 77-69 win as a 1½-point road favorite two seasons ago. The chalk is also 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings.
The Tigers are on a bundle of positive ATS streaks, including 5-2 overall, 22-6 at home, 7-2 in the Big 12, 5-1 on Wednesday, 11-5 after a SU win and 15-3 at home versus teams with a losing road record. The Aggies, meanwhile, are on a 35-17 ATS run on the road against teams with a winning home mark, but they are also in ATS ruts of 1-7 after a SU win and 1-4 on the highway.
The under is 7-2 in Mizzou’s last nine Big 12 outings and 5-1 in A&M’s last six following a pointspread victory. Other than that, though, the Tigers are on “over” surges of 5-2 at home, 9-2 on Wednesday and 4-1 against winning teams, and the over has hit in the Aggies’ last seven Wednesday outings. Finally, the total has gone high in four of the past five meetings in this rivalry.
ATS ADVANTAGE: MISSOURI and OVER
NCAAB News and Notes
Wednesday, February 3
Information on the best of Wednesday's college basketball games........
West Virginia gets Turkish big man Kilicli for first time tonight; word is he's their best low-post player, and they need one; WVa lost six of last eight games vs Pitt, splitting last six played here. Pitt lost three of their last four games, losing by 8-3-9 points; they're 4-0 as Big East road dog.
Virginia (+4.5) won 70-62 at NC State, Jan 9, game State led by 9 at half, it was Cavs' fourth win in six meetings vs Wolfpack. State lost three of last four games- they're 2-1 as ACC road dog, losing away games by 24-8 points. Virginia is off upset win in Chapel Hill; they're 2-1 at home in ACC, winning by 7-18 points, losing only to Virginia Tech in OT.
Georgia is 5-1 vs spread in SEC, but was dog in all six; they're favored for first time here. Dawgs were 3-3 as non-conference favorite this year; they're 1-5 SU in SEC, 3-1 in last four games vs Hogs. Arkansas is 2-1 as SEC road dog, with SEC losses by 2-5-31 points (3-3); they're much better team since PG Fortson came back from lengthy suspension.
South Florida won three Big East games in row for first time ever; they covered last five, are 5-2-1 vs spread in league, 2-1-1 on road, losing on road by 21-17 points- two of their last three games went OT. Hoyas are 2-2 as Big East home favorite; they made 26-33 2-point shots in rout of Duke Saturday. Georgetown won last two in series by 10-25 points.
Old Dominion (-5.5) won 58-55 at Wm Mary Jan 23, holding Tribe to 33% from floor, 10-30 from arc; Monarchs won nine of last ten games, but are just 1-3-1 vs spread as CAA home favorite. Tribe lost three of last four games, but is 4-1 as CAA underdog- dogs are 9-1 vs spread in their league games, with last three all decided by three or less points.
DePaul's only Big East win was 51-50 at home vs Marquette Jan 20, as Eagles blew late lead; DePaul covered three of last four games after 0-5 start vs spread in Big East play. Marquette is 7-2 vs spread in Big East, 3-1 as favorite, winning home games by 3-30-23 points. Blue Demons are 1-3 as Big East road dog, losing away games by 13-27-20-10 points.
Home side won last six Iowa State-Baylor games; Cyclones last three in a row in Waco by 4-18-7 points, with underdog covering all three games. ISU lost three of last four games; five of their last six games were won by 7 or less points. Underdog covered four of last five Baylor games, but Bears are 2-1 as home favorite, winning by 31-13, losing to K-State.
Memphis won five in row, eight of last nine in regional rivalry vs UAB, but Tigers are 2-2 in last four games after having won 64 C-USA games in row. Blazers lost last five visits here by 7-25-7-38-13 points; they're 6-1 in league after losing last game in double OT. Four of last five UAB games were decided by 1 or 2 points, or in overtime.
Marshall lost last three games by 2-3-15 points; they're 0-3 in C-USA if they score less than 76 points. Favorite is 3-0 vs spread in their league games on road. Tulsa is 1-2 as C-USA home favorite, winning by 14-20-4 points at home- they've got UTEP next, better not look ahead. C-USA home favorites are 11-15 against the spread.
Northern Iowa's only MVC loss is 60-51 at Wichita Jan 19; UNI made only 2-13 from arc, forced just six turnovers- they're 4-1 as home fave in MVC, winning home games by 19-8-2-22-16 points. Panthers allowed 54.3 ppg in last three games. Shockers won eight of last ten games; they are 3-3 on MVC road, losing by 15-1-14 points.
Home side won won last five Miss State-Vanderbilt games; Bulldogs lost last two visits here by 28-1 points. Five of State's last six games were decided by five or less points, with all three of their SEC road tilts won by exactly five points. Vandy won 10 of its last 11 games, winning both SEC home games by 8 points. Vandy did allow 74+ points last 5 games.
Texas A&M won last four games, allowing 66.3 ppg; they're 1-2 on Big 12 road, losing by 23 at K-State, 5 at Texas, winning at Oklahoma State. Missouri is 3-0 as Big 11 home favorite, winning by 6-17-15 points in Big 12 home games. Aggies won last five games vs Missouri, taking last two visits here, 54-51/77-69. Big 12 home favorites are 19-11 vs spread.
UTEP's only loss in C-USA was 75-65 in Houston Jan 13, as Cougars made 11-20 from arc, Miners just 3-16. Houston lost four of last five in El Paso, losing by 27-8-6-6 points- teams split season series in each of last four seasons. Houston's league losses are by 6-7-15 points. Miners are 3-0 as C-USA home favorite, winning by 4-7-13 points.
Tips and Trends
DePaul Blue Demons at Marquette Golden Eagles
Blue Demons: DePaul has lost 9 of their past 10 games SU, with their lone win coming against Marquette. It seems like long ago that the Blue Demons were 5-1 SU, as they currently stand at 8-13 SU. DePaul is 9-7-1 ATS, thanks to 4 consecutive wins ATS as the listed double digit underdog. DePaul is 5-3-1 ATS away from home this season, including both true road games and neutral court games. The Blue Demons are 7-5-1 ATS as the listed underdog this entire season. Despite their recent ATS success, DePaul is struggling to score as they've been held to 57 PTS or fewer in 4 of their past 5 games. G Will Walker is the offensive catalyst for the Blue Demons, as he averages a team high 16.3 PPG. C Mac Koshwal has returned to the lineup, as he is the 2nd leading scorer for Depaul averaging 13.4 PPG along with a team high 10 RPG. DePaul will be looking to shorten the game, as they've held opponents to 67 PTS or fewer in 4 of their past 5 games.
DePaul is 4-0 ATS last 4 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Under is 5-0 last 5 games following a SU loss.
Key Injuries - None.
PROJECTED SCORE: 51
Golden Eagles (-17.5, O/U 127): Revenge will clearly be on the minds of Marquette tonight, as they were shocked last month 50-51 against Depaul. Marquette was a 13 point favorite in that game, and were caught looking ahead to Syracuse in SU defeat. Marquette is 13-8 SU and 10-5 ATS this season. The Golden Eagles are 10-2 SU and 4-2 ATS at home this season. Marquette is 2-2 ATS as a double digit favorite this year. Marquette has bounced back a bit after losing 5 of 7 games SU earlier this year, winning their 1st road game of the season against UCONN in their last game. The Golden Eagles have scored at least 70 PTS in 5 of their past 6 games. F Lazar Hayward leads Marquette in scoring, averaging 18.1 PPG this season. Hayward also leads the Golden Eagles in rebounds, averaging 7.5 RPG. G Jimmy Butler averages 15 PPG while shooting better than 57% from the field.
Marquette is 6-1 ATS last 7 vs. Big East.
Under is 5-0 last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400.
Key Injuries - F Jeronne Maymon (personal) is out.
C Chris Otule (foot) is out.
PROJECTED SCORE: 70 (UNDER - Total of the Day)
Kansas Jayhawks at Colorado Buffaloes
Jayhawks (-13, O/U 150.5): Kansas is back at #1 in the nation, as they are an impressive 20-1 SU this season. Since their loss at Tennessee, the Jayhawks have won 6 straight games SU. That includes an overtime thriller in their last game at Kansas St. The Jayhawks are 9-8-1 ATS this season, including 3-4-1 ATS away from home. Kansas is 8-6-1 ATS as a double digit favorite this season, having only played 3 of their 21 games as a single digit favorite. The Jayhawks have 4 players averaging double figures in PTS, with C Cole Aldrich perhaps the hottest Jayhawk of them all. Aldrich averages nearly 12 PPG, along with a team high 10 RPG this season. G Sherron Collins leads the team in scoring and assists, with 15.5 PPG and 4.1 APG respectively. As a team, Kansas averages nearly 85 PPG this season. Defensively, the Jayhawks have only allowed 5 of their 21 opponents to score 70 PTS or more this season.
Jayhawks are 8-1-1 ATS last 10 games following an ATS loss.
Under is 5-1 last 6 vs. a team with a winning SU record.
Key Injuries - None.
PROJECTED SCORE: 77
Buffaloes: Colorado has lost 4 of their last 5 games SU, including a home loss to Kansas St. That home loss was significant, as it remains the Buffaloes only loss at home this season. Colorado is 11-10 SU this season, with a home record of 10-1 SU. Colorado is 4-2-1 ATS at home this season, and have yet to lose ATS as the listed home underdog. The Buffaloes are 5-4-1 ATS as the listed underdog for the entire season. Colorado has lost the past 13 contests against Kansas, so they will be excited for tonight's home matchup. The Buffaloes average more than 75 PPG, but have been held under that total in each of their past 3 games. G Cory Higgins leads the Buffaloes in scoring with 18.3 PPG this season. G Alec Burks is the only other player averaging more than 10 PPG for Colorado, and both Burke and Higgins shoot better than 50% from the field. Colorado needs to improve their rebounding, as they are the worst rebounding team in the Big 12.
Buffaloes are 5-1-1 ATS last 7 games vs. a team with a winning SU record.
Under is 5-0 last 5 vs. a team with a winning SU record.
Key Injuries - F Keegan Hornbuckle (shoulder) is questionable.
G Alec Burks (knee) is questionable
PROJECTED SCORE: 71 (Side of the Day)