*CBB(1u): St Joseph’s/UMASS OVER 152(-110)–11 AM CT
UMASS can score points at will on the offensive end of the floor, entering today’s game ranked 43rd in offensive efficiency and pairing that with a Top 100 pace in the country. However, the Minutemen also have one of the worst defenses in the country, currently ranking 338th in defensive efficiency. Like UMASS, St. Joe’s likes to push the pace on the offensive end of the floor but doesn’t care too much for playing tight defense. This spot(2nd straight home game after a home loss) sets up similarly for UMASS as their January 20th game against Saint Louis; that game saw 176 points. I like this one to shoot over the posted total.
*CBB(1u): Arkansas/Alabama OVER 157.5(-110)–11 AM CT
While this might seem like a square play, each of these teams play EXACTLY how you want if you’re betting Overs. Alabama runs at the 16th fastest pace in the country, while Arkansas runs at the 18th fastest pace. While everybody saw Alabama lay an egg offensively against Kentucky last week, they responded by putting up 97 points against a pretty solid Ole Miss defense on Wednesday. This is still a unit that ranks 11th in offensive efficiency and will give the Razorbacks everything they can handle. With that said, the Crimson Tide defense is reeling at the moment; they rank just 75th in defensive efficiency and just allowed 83 to a bad Ole Miss offense. With that pace, Arkansas can go toe-to-toe with Alabama in this tough environment. Anything below 160 is an Over bettor’s dream just considering how these teams match up.
*CBB(1u): Florida State/North Carolina UNDER 146.5(-110)–1 PM CT
North Carolina appeared to be turning a corner on the defensive end of the floor, but they have not had much success over their past 3 games. However, UNC has still played much better defense at home than they do the on the road. This is a perfect spot for UNC to clean things up on that end of the floor. Things have gone totally south for Florida State, as they enter this game off of a home loss to Pittsburgh, their 5th straight loss. The Seminoles’ roster is depleted with injuries, which has left them with little-to-no threats on the offensive end of the floor. Still, Leonard Hamilton has his guys playing hard on the defensive end of the floor; that unit ranks 62nd in defensive efficiency. Given UNC’s sense of urgency to clean things up defensively and Florida State’s pure inability to score the basketball, this total is far too high.
*CBB(1u): Michigan State -4(-110) vs Indiana–2:30 PM CT
Indiana is exactly who I thought they were, so losing outright at Northwestern was no real surprise to me. Now, the Hoosiers have to travel and play a superior Michigan State team in their second straight road game. Indiana’s problems lay solely on the offensive end of the floor; they have fallen outside of the Top 100 in offensive efficiency. Michigan State is coming off a loss to Wisconsin and are just 2-3 over their past 5 games, but they are clearly the more complete team. This isn’t Tom Izzo’s first rodeo, and in fact, he always gets his team in great form just in time to make a deep run in March. I see Michigan State making a statement today in a great spot. This one could get ugly.
*CBB(1u): Penn State +1(-110) @ Minnesota–7:30 PM CT
There is absolutely no reason Minnesota should be favored in this game. Penn State enters this game off of a 2-point loss at Wisconsin and a mere 1 point loss to Michigan their last time out. The Nittany Lions are a good bounce away from beating some of the better teams in the Big10. Minnesota, on the other hand, is coming off a 13-point loss at Nebraska, who was winless in conference play entering that game. The Golden Gophers have lost their past 5 games, 4 of those coming by double-digits. Penn State’s style of play is not sexy, but this line is absurd. I’ll take the point as insurance.
