2-2 yesterday overall as we look to steadily climb our way back to .500 this week in CBB. In this business you have to be bold, so here it goes: I feel really good about today’s picks (gulp). As I cross my fingers and mentally dispel the fallacy of a jinx, here are six hump day bets for your reading and wagering pleasure!
UCONN -2.5 (-110), 1.5 units: It’s go-time for the Huskies if they want to make the tournament, as we’re only a short month away from Selection Sunday. UCONN is bordering on the final 5 teams that would qualify, so this is a huge game for the Huskies. UCONN wasn’t able to pull of the win against Seton Hall Saturday, which was really disappointing at home, so now they need this game even more. When UCONN plays well, they’re absolutely a better team than Providence. The Friars are fighting for position too, but their season is inevitably starting to slip away as they ride the bottom of the Big East Conference. With more to play for, and for a great defense that’s due for positive regression after allowing Seton Hall to sink 50% from the field and from 3-point land Saturday, I expect the Huskies to be very motivated today and take care of business.
UNC Greensboro -1 (-110), 1.5 units: The Spartans got absolutely rocked by the Paladins 2 days ago, losing by an embarrassing 19 points in a game where they were favored. While it’s not all that surprising since Furman has an excellent defense, which they exhibited fully on Monday, the Spartans offense was truly abysmal. UNCG has no other choice but to hit positive regression in today’s game since they only hit 29% from the field and a shocking 11% from beyond the arc… let me repeat, 11%! Like we said, Furman’s defense is good, but the Spartan’s offense isn’t that bad. While not electric, the Spartans average a healthy 73 ppg. We know how tough it is for conference opponents to beat each other twice. It’s even tougher to do when the second game is on the loser’s home court. I think UNC Greensboro bounces back in a big way and takes game 2.
Wofford -4.5 (-110), 2 units: Wofford is easily the best team in the Southern Conference and I like them as a play-on team moving forward. After all, it’s green-light season as we march towards madness! The Terriers recent game against Furman was a great example of where this team should be going. Furman isn’t an easy squad to score against. It was a battle back-n-forth all game, until Wofford turned it up offensively and out-classed the Paladins in the second half. I get that this is an in-conference matchup and Chattanooga will likely play hard tonight, but the Mocs will struggle significantly against Wofford’s efficient playmakers. I expect the Terriers to create some distance early and for it to climb throughout the game. Take Wofford with confidence.
Indiana -3.5 (-105), 1 unit: Yeeaaaa I just really like Indiana! Sorry not sorry. This may be a better spot for Northwestern, but I don’t care. The Big 10 is obviously the best conference in college basketball this year and it makes every game so difficult to predict. It seems like any team can knock off another in the right spot. Regardless, Indiana’s last two wins against Iowa were really impressive. And even in recent disappointing losses, the Hoosiers look like they’re playing harder and better coached. Illinois, for example, was very lucky to escape with a win. I really like the way Archie Miller coaches and I think the momentum they’ve gained carries them to another win. Sorry, Wildcats.
George Mason -9 (-110), 2 units: In all transparency, I can’t say I’ve paid too much attention to the Atlantic 10 Conference this year. That being said, George Mason is absolutely the play tonight. Fordham is horrible offensively and even worse on the road, averaging under 50 ppg. The Patriots are one of the better rebounding teams in their conference and while they’re not a juggernaut on offense, they average a healthy 70+ ppg and 81 ppg in their last 2 games at home. In a considerably better position, I like GMU to pull away in the second half and win this by double digits.
Marquette +11 (-110), 1.5 units: Villanova is obviously one of the top teams in the nation but I haven’t been very impressed by them lately. They seem to be sleepwalking through their conference, and why not? Most nights they can play average basketball and still win. Of course, with a target as big as the one on their backs in a conference they dominate, I expect Big East teams to play them hard. Insert Marquette. It’s likely the Golden Eagles will sit out of the NCAA Tournament this year, but I don’t think that’s a call for another let-down game tonight. Marquette is not a bad team. They rank in the top 100 in most categories and are more than capable of upsetting a giant like Villanova. I think Marquette plays this this game like it’s the championship tonight. I know they’re not great on the road, but after several disappointing conference losses lately, this is a great spot for maximum effort. I think this line is about right and I love that it’s going up to give us more points– I just think Marquette is being undervalued in this spot. Take the dog.
