Brian EdwardsFOR FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
Xavier at CreightonFOR FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
Play: Xavier +8.5FOR FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
Xavier has been an underdog three times this season, compiling a 3-0 spread record with a pair of outright wins vs. Cincinnati (64-47) and at Alabama (77-74). The only outright defeat came in a 77-74 loss to Iowa in overtime as a six-point underdog.
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
Chris Mack's team has a 13-3 straight-up record and a 10-4 against-the-spread mark. Xavier will take an eight-game winning streak into Omaha on Sunday to face Creighton. Most books have the Bluejays favored by -8.5.
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
Xavier has the better RPI (#27) compared to Creighton (#35). The Musketeers have covered the spread in six consecutive games, including triumphs over Marquette, Butler and St. John's to start 3-0 in their debut season in the Big East.
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
Xavier has played a tough schedule with a pair of wins over RPI Top-50 opponents, including a win over Tennessee. The Musketeers have won seven of 10 games versus foes in the RPI's Top 100. They have only lost one game by more than six, a 64-49 defeat against Tennessee when the Vols were in revenge mode.
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
Creighton won't be at full strength. Sixth-year senior guard Grant Gibbs is out for the next 4-6 weeks after dislocating his kneecap in a win over DePaul earlier this week. Doug McDermott, the All-American forward who is a legit candidate for national Player of the Year honors, will play despite slightly spraining his shoulder and bruising his rotator cuff against DePaul.
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
I think Xavier is a live underdog with better-than-decent chance of winning outright. I'm all over the Musketeers.
Wunderdog
Iowa at Ohio State
Pick: Ohio St -6.5
A giant Big 10 battle between two Top 20 teams. One weakness for Iowa is they are not big in the frontcourt, and that weakness shows up on the road where they are winless. That will be a concern against the No. 3 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes, who shoot 47% as a team behind 6-11 junior center Amir Williams and 6-8 LaQuinton Ross pounding the frontcourt. Ohio State is off a close loss in OT at Michigan State and is a great bounce back team, 9-4 ATS following a loss. And it was their first defeat of the season, so they will not be kind to their visitors. Ohio State has won the last eight games against Iowa in the series, the longest winning streak for the Buckeyes over Iowa all-time. Thad Matta is 11-4 overall vs. the Hawkeyes, and Ohio State is 7-1 ATS against a team with a winning record. Throw in the fact that the Buckeyes are 10-1 ATS in their last 11 vs. the Big Ten and grab the home court. Play the Ohio State Buckeyes.
OC DooleyFOR FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
UCLA -6.5FOR FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
The host Bruins may have an excellent 12-3 overall record out of the gate, but they have not helped themselves in “visibility” tilts had the promise of drawing prospective recruits to a once-dominant program that is now run by a head coach (Steve Alford) who has had previous success as both a player and leader being originally trained by the fiery Bob Knight. UCLA’s initial appearance on the ESPN family of networks was a trip east to New York’s famed Madison Square Garden where they were drilled by an 80-63 final count against mighty Duke. On Thursday of this week the Bruins once again had an ESPN national appearance this time on their own hardwood (Pauley Pavilion) and once again lost on the scoreboard this time as a home underdog against an opponent (Arizona) who currently has the #1 overall ranking in the land. Even though this late night tilt will not be drawing much national attention, the Bruins do have a sizeable advantage against Arizona State who is playing just their second ROAD game since the beginning of December (12/6). The Sun Devils back on Wednesday did win by a large 19 point margin but it was “only” against the same USC contingent that the Bruins drilled by a 107-73 count earlier this month. The UCLA Bruins have actually “alternated” spread wins-and-losses in FIVE consecutive outings and are due to an ATS triumph late this evening
River City Sharps
Utah -2.5
We really like a nice "bounceback" situation tonight in the Pac-12 as Utah takes on Washington State. The Utes lost a heartbreaker on Thursday night, dropping a two point decision to Washington. Meanwhile, Washington State is 0-3 already in their Pac 12 campaign as they dropped a one point game to Colorado, a game where they were an 8.5 point dog. Utah is 8-1 ATS this season and 9-2 ATS off a road loss over the last 2 seasons. The Cougars have really been struggling on the offensive end, especially in the last five games. They are only averaging 55.6 ppg over the last five while Utah is averaging 83.6 ppg on the year. This game looks like a mismatch and we think the bounceback tonight comes from the Utes as they get a much needed road win.