Wednesday's Best NCAAB Bet
Miami Hurricanes at Alabama Crimson Tide (-5.5, 130)
The Hurricanes and Tide square off for a chance to take part in the NIT semifinals at Madison Square Garden in a match that pits Miami’s hot offense against Alabama’s tight defense.
Miami has put up at least 80 points in its first two wins of the tourney and rebounded after a slow start to down Missouri State 81-72 as a 5-point favorite on Monday.
Durand Scott, who averages 13.5 points this season, put up 20 points in the win after dropping 19 points in the team’s opening win over Florida Atlantic.
"We're a young team," UM coach Frank Haith told reporters "This team knows we're going to be together next year. We want to play in the NCAA Tournament. These games are important in getting some growth towards that."
Alabama represents a tough test here, but Miami’s scoring should be able to least keep the Hurricanes close in the fourth quarter.
Pick: Hurricanes
College Basketball Knowledge
Wichita State made 20-46 from arc in winning first two NIT games, with Shockers scoring 76-79 points; problem is, Wichita has played better on road this year than at home. MVC home favorites of 8 or less points are 12-9 vs spread. SoCon single digit road underdogs are 15-6. Charleston covered five of its last seven games as an underdog. Wichita is 3-5 vs spread in last eight games as a favorite.
Alabama won four of last five games, losing to Kentucky in SEC semis; Crimson Tide is 7-1-1 in last nine games as a favorite. Miami is 3-1-1 vs spread in last five games as an underdog- they beat Ole Miss by 13 in only game vs SEC foe this season, but are 3-6 in last nine true road games. SEC home favorites of 6 or less points are 8-6 vs spread. ACC road underdogs of 5 or less points are 8-5.
Central Florida has travel issues, won't leave Orlando until Wednesday morning; not often teams travel/play on same day. UCF is 7-3 in last 10 games, holding first two tourney victims to 54 points each. Knights are 4-3 as an underdog. Creighton covered last six games as a fave. C-USA road dogs of 4 or less points are 10-7 vs spread. MVC home favorites of 5 or less points are 8-6 against the spread.
Oregon won four of its last five games, with seven of last ten going over total. Boise State won 10 of last 11 games, losing by 8 to Utah State in WAC final; Broncos are 5-5 as an underdog. Pac-10 home favorites of 5 or less points are 7-4 vs spread. WAC single digit road underdogs are 10-8. Ducks are 2-5 vs spread in last seven games as favorite. Oregon had a 20-4 edge on foul line vs Duquesne in last game, surviving Dukes' 13-28 shooting on the arc to win by a hoop.
Casto (off-court issue) is suspended for Washington State, third Cougar starter to be suspended this semester; Pac-10 home favorites of 6 or less points are 7-4 vs spread. Big 11 road dogs of less than 7 points are 11-5 vs spread. Northwestern is 6-9 as an underdog this year, but is 3-1 in its last four tries. Wazzu won four of last five home games, losing in OT to UCLA in game that star Thompson was suspended for