Betting news, trends, odds and predictions from various handicappers and websites for Sunday 12/2/18
Sunday’s games
Arizona pulled away late to beat UConn 73-58 at home LY; they led by a point with 6:50 left. Long trip east for Wildcats, who were in Hawai’i 10 days ago- they’re experience team #220 (#320 in MC) who start two sophs and a freshman. Arizona is 1-2 vs top 100 teams, beating Iowa St by 5 on Maui. UConn is 6-1 vs schedule #333, with only loss 91-72 to Iowa in NYC. Huskies are experience team #120 that is forcing turnovers 21% of time. UConn has played only two teams in top 200, beating Syracuse 83-76 night before they lost to Iowa.
Delaware is 4-2 vs D-I teams with two other wins; Blue Hens are experience team #168 (#263 in MC) that is turning ball over 20.6% of time (#242), while playing tempo #327- they start two frosh and a soph. Delaware has made 39.8% of its 3’s; they won by 17 at Cornell of Ivy League Nov 15. Columbia is 0-4 vs D-I teams (schedule #308) with a non-D-I win in last game. Lions are experience team #189; this is their first game against a top 200 team. Columbia’s defensive eFG% is #333 in country; they start two sophs and a freshman.
Valparaiso was 4-32 on arc, never led in awful 73-60 loss at Cal-Riverside LY; Valpo is 3-3 (vs schedule #127) this season after winning at UNLV Wednesday. Crusaders are #156 experience team that forces turnovers 21.2% of time- they start three juniors, one senior. Riverside lost to D-I newbie Cal Baptist in last game; Highlanders are 1-6 vs schedule #164- they’re experience team #325 that is 0-4 vs top 200 teams, with losses by 13-21-20-12 points. MVC teams are 7-6 vs spread in home games this year; Big West teams are 13-11 vs spread in true road games.
Missouri beat Central Florida 62-59 in Orlando LY; UCF won its last five games overall since an 80-79 loss to FAU when Knights blew a 26-6 lead. UCF is experience team #33; all six of its wins are vs top 150 teams- FAU is ranked #237. Knights have played schedule #133; their defensive eFG% is #17- they beat SEC’s Alabama at home in last game. Missouri lost its last two games, to K-State/Temple; Tigers are experience team #273 that is 3-3 vs schedule #78- they’re turning ball over 21.7% of time, while starting two sophs and a freshman.
Illinois/Nebraska split their last eight meetings; Illini lost four of their last six visits to Lincoln. Underdogs covered last four series games. Illinois is 2-5 vs schedule #20; they’re experience team #308 that allowed 76+ points in all five losses, 60-67 in their wins- four of their losses are to top 60 teams. Illini forced turnovers 24.9% of time, but their defensive eFG% is still #309. Nebraska is 6-1 vs schedule #205; Huskers have beaten Clemson/Seton Hall; their defensive eFG% is #1 in country right now. Nebraska is forcing turnovers 23% of the time.
Ohio State won 12 of last 14 games with Minnesota; Gophers lost their last seven visits here, with four wins by 15+ points. Buckeyes are 6-1 this year vs schedule #205, with top 100 wins over Cincy (64-56), Creighton (69-60)- their loss was 72-62 at home to Syracuse in last game Wednesday. Minnesota played three starters 35:00+ in 83-76 home win over Oklahoma St Friday nite; Gophers are 6-1 vs schedule #73, losing 68-56 at BC in their only true road game. Minnesota is experience team #178 that starts two freshmen, two seniors.
Cal-Santa Barbara is 6-1 vs schedule #317; Gauchos are experience team #251 (#343 in MC) that hasn’t played a team in top 200 yet, so this is big step up in class. UCSB is starting a freshman and two sophs. Washington is 5-2 vs schedule #69; Huskies are #50 experience team that is #1 in country in MC. Washington won two of three games in Vancouver tourney LW; they’re 3-2 vs top 150 teams, with best win 71-67 over #70 Texas A&M. Big West teams covered 8 of their first 11 games vs Pac-12 teams this season. Big West road underdogs are 12-9 vs spread.
Loyola Marymount is 6-0 vs schedule #326; their best win was over Georgetown in Jamaica tourney. Lions are #139 experience team that forces turnovers 24.6% of time- they won by 11 at UNLV in only true road game. LMU hasn’t had winning season since 2012, so this game is a good test. UCLA is 5-2 vs schedule #245; Bruins’ two losses were to top 10 teams (Michigan St, UNC) on a neutral floor in NYC. UCLA is experience team #351 that is playing #41 tempo- they start two frosh, two sophs. LMU starts two seniors- they’re playing pace #343.
Oral Roberts is 1-6 vs D-I teams with two non-D-I wins; Golden Eagles are experience team #217 that is turning ball over 23% of time, making only 29.5% of its 3’s. ORU lost its two top 100 games by 17 at TCU, 20 at BYU. SMU won its last three games after a 2-3 start; Mustangs are experience team #186 that is forcing turnovers 22.9% of time- they’re 4-0 vs teams ranked outside top 200, winning by 11-33-14-32 points. Summit League road underdogs are 7-11 vs spread this season; AAC home favorites are 9-10.