*CBB(1.5u): Oklahoma +3(-110) vs Texas Tech–8 PM CT
Texas Tech showed major signs of regression in their last game at West Virginia; while they ended up pulling out a win, that was much more due to West Virginia shooting just 24% from the floor. The Red Raiders will now have to play their second straight road game against an Oklahoma team that NEEDS this win for NCAA Tournament purposes. I’ll admit that the Sooners have not looked good as of late, but this is still a Top 50 team according to KenPom that plays great defense. Texas Tech is not at full strength, and from a pure spot perspective, this game points squarely towards the Sooners. I’ll put my money where my mouth is and make this tonight’s best bet.
*CBB(1u): George Mason ML(-115) vs Richmond–6 PM CT
These teams played just two days ago in Richmond, with the home team squeaking by with a 3 point win. However, George Mason’s best player(Josh Oduro) didn’t play, and even so, George Mason still covered the 7.5 point spread comfortably. Coming back home to Fairfax and likely welcoming back Oduro tonight, this line doesn’t seem as if it has adjusted enough for the double-header spot. I like the Patriots to get some quick revenge at home tonight.
*CBB(1u): Tulane +10(-110) @ Memphis–7 PM CT
Bettors seem to think Penny Hardaway’s Memphis team has finally turned a corner, but I’m not so convinced. While the Tigers have won 3 games in a row, this team has been totally unreliable all season and will never get my money again. Tulane beat Memphis outright earlier this season; while you might think this sets up well for Memphis to get some revenge, it’s a whole different story when you’re talking about laying a double-digit spread. To be quite honest, this line is disrespectful towards Tulane. The Green Wave are fresh off a 20 point win against ECU and have held up nicely on the road this season, with outright wins at Wichita State and Cincinnati, as well as covers at Houston, UCF, and Florida State. I expect this to be a much tighter game than this spread would indicate.
*CBB(1u): Mississippi State +1.5(-110) vs Tennessee–8 PM CT
Tennessee has much better metrics than I would’ve ever guessed. In other words, this team just doesn’t pass the “eye test”. While that analysis isn’t concrete, what is concrete is that the Vols have not stepped up in tough spots on the road this season. They were uncompetitive on the road against Kentucky and LSU, and also lost at Texas and Alabama. You might not think Mississippi State belongs in that same category, but I would beg to differ. The Bulldogs are a tournament team that has already picked up home wins against Alabama and Arkansas this season. They did lose to Arkansas in Fayetteville this past Saturday, but they were competitive until the end in one of the toughest atmospheres in CBB. I think the Vols continue to struggle in big spots tonight.
