We’re back with our first college basketball article of the season. So far this season we are up 2.25 Units on CBB at 5-3. I think my early season process is dialed in as we look to exploit some funky line issues as we did last night with Ohio.
My free play features the Utah Valley Wolverines (1-0) traveling to take on the Sam Houston Bearkats (1-0) The line sits at Sam Houston -7.5 with the Over/Under checking in at 141.
Utah Valley comes in to the game featuring almost an entirely rebuilt roster with only four returning players. What they brought in through the portal however could be one of the best group of leftovers from other college programs in the country of any Mid-Major. They struggled with interior defense in their tune up game against Carroll MT winning 81-73. However, they showed a lot of skill on offense led by Southern Utah transfer point guard Drake Allen. He started every game last year for SUU and is a possible all-conference candidate. Sam Houston got locked in a defensive battle with Pacific to open the season coming out victorious 64-57. They got to the free throw line 33 times compared to Pacific only getting there 7 times. I don’t expect the same discrepancy tonight. Sam Houston is also trying to replace its top scoring options as their two biggest threats have moved on. Other major change is the coach at Utah Valley State as the “Mad Man” Mark Madsen has moved onto Cal and is replaced by top internal assistant Todd Phillips. I expect Todd to pick things up right where Madsen left off as he has a JUCO title under his belt at Salt Lake CC.
For me this is all about a whole bunch of change. It’s going to take a bit for both of these teams to work the wrinkles out. That being said I think Utah Valley has brought in some really strong talent with Allen and BYU transfer Tanner Toolson who dumped in 25 points in the opener. Add in, Osiris Grady a 6’8″ four-star recruit and I think the talent leader is actually the dog here. If they are more cohesive on defense tonight I think they can cover the spread and actually should be considered a live dog with sprinkle potential. This line has been falling since I got it at +8.5 this morning and I expect it gets lower by game-time.
Take Utah Valley +7.5 for 2 Units.
