Tom Stryker 3*
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Miami-OH -10.5
Robert Ferringo's Picks For College Basketball
4-Unit Play. Take #713 Illinois State (-5) over Eastern Michigan (7 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 4)
The Redhawks are a legit sleeper in the Missouri Valley, a conference that has far outperformed the Mid-American. Illinois State has been wrecking weaker teams this year, and while EMU may be close to them in skill level I still think that we are backing the better team here. EMU doesn’t shoot or defend particularly well, but the Redhawks do. Illinois State is 5-0 ATS in their last five road games, 7-2 ATS against the MAC, and 16-5 ATS in nonconference play.
2.5-Unit Play. Take #720 Rhode Island (-2) over Providence (7 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 4)
In the New England Round Robin, so far we have B.C. beating Rhode Island and Providence beating B.C. Since there isn’t much separation between those three teams I think it fits that the Rams win this one. They have covered four of five against the Friars, they’re playing at home, and they’re catching Providence off an emotional overtime win against the Eagles. Ignore the first five or ten minutes of this game. It’s going to come down to the last five minutes and Rhode Island will close out a clutch win.
2.5-Unit Play. Take #731 Michigan State (-4) over Bradley (9 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 4)
I’m proud of what Bradley has done this year. Decent little team. But the Spartans won this matchup by 29 points last year. Yeah: 29. Home court doesn’t mean that much. This Michigan State team is much more talented. Yes, they have shown a scary propensity to play down to the level of bad mid-majors, but I think they play well enough to cash here.
1.5-Unit Play. Take #725 Air Force (-5.5) over Northern Illinois (8 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 4)
Looks like NIU’s leading scorer won’t be playing in this one, and the line has not adjusted accordingly. Air Force is a very mediocre team, but NIU is poor. I think they win this one easily.
1.5-Unit Play. Take #742 Fairfield (-2) over Yale (7 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 4)
This game is a play up to -3. These teams are actually closer in talent than you think, but Fairfield’s defense should be able to hold back Yale in a mini-rivalry game. The Stags are a bit more battle-hardened in this early season and are desperate for a win.