College Basketball
Missouri Tigers vs. Texas A&M Aggies
March 14, 2013 | 
Author The Missouri Tigers and the Texas A&M Aggies face off on Thursday in Nashville for a round two SEC College Basketball Tournament game. The Tigers are -9 point favorites over the Aggies with an over/under point total set at 131.
The Missouri Tigers have put together a solid season as they look to get back to the NCAA Tournament to avenge their first round loss a year ago. Missouri is 11-7 in the SEC, 3-1 in neutral site games, but were just 2-8 on the road this season. As a team Missouri is averaging 77.2 points, 13.9 assists, and they are shooting 46.2 percent while defensively they are allowing 67.8 points, 11.4 assists, and their opponents are shooting 40.6 percent. Laurence Bowers is averaging 14.8 points and 6.3 rebounds, Jabari Brown is averaging 14 points, Phil Pressey is averaging 11.9 points and 7.1 assists, and Alex Oriakhi is averaging 10.9 points and 8.5 rebounds. Missouri’s only two conference road wins were at Mississippi State and South Carolina.
The Texas A&M Aggies had an up and down first season in the SEC but on Wednesday they were able to hold off a stubborn Auburn team to advance to the second round in Nashville. Elston Turner had a big night on Wednesday with 22 points while Alex Caruso had 14. Kourtney Roberson had 11 points and seven rebounds and Fabyon Harris had 11 points and six rebounds but more importantly he hit five of six free throws down the stretch. Texas A&M split the season series with Missouri with each team winning at home and of course this is the first SEC Tournament for both of these teams as they came over from the Big 12.
Missouri is 9-2 against the spread in their last 11 neutral site games, 5-2 against the spread following a loss, and 3-9 against the spread against a team with a winning record. Texas A&M is 2-9 against the spread in their last 11 neutral site games, 0-4 against the spread following a win, and 0-4 against the spread against a team with a winning record. Texas A&M has covered the point spread in 11 of the last 14 meetings of these two.
Texas A&M hasn’t been strong in conference and I know in tournaments is where teams generally make a stand but as little of a believer I am in Missouri coach Frank Haith I still see the Tigers blowing the Aggies out here.
Pick
Missouri Tigers -9 Texas A&M Aggies
Posted in College Basketball, March Madness, Sportsbook | 
Tags: College Basketball betting, Missouri Tigers, Texas A&M Aggies | 
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Marquette Golden Eagles vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
The Marquette Golden Eagles and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish face off on Thursday in Madison Square Garden as they close out third round action of the Big East College Basketball Tournament. The Golden Eagles are -2 point favorites over the Fighting Irish with an over/under point total set at 126.5.
The Marquette Golden Eagles had a solid season winning their last four games and six of their last seven games. Marquette is 14-4 in Big East play, 2-1 in neutral site games, and they finished the year ranked 12th in the nation. As a team Marquette is averaging 69.1 points, 14.5 assists, and they are shooting 46.7 percent while defensively they are allowing 62.6 points, 13.5 assists, and their opponents are shooting 40.6 percent. Vander Blue is averaging 14.4 points, Davante Gardener is averaging 11.5 points, and Jamil Wilson is averaging 9.2 points. Marquette has been a typical Buzz Williams coached team with a workman like approach.
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have won four of their last six games including their second round game of the Big East Tournament against Rutgers on Wednesday. Pat Connaughton went off for 21 points and Tom Knight had 18 points and nine rebounds. Jack Cooley also grabbed nine rebounds while Jerian Grant had 11 points. Notre Dame is 3-1 in neutral site games this season but 2-4 against teams ranked in the top 25. Notre Dame lost the only meeting of these two this year in a game played at Marquette. Win or lose the Irish are in the NCAA Tournament field.
Marquette is 2-6 against the spread following a win, 10-3 against the spread following a game which they didn’t cover the spread, and 105 against the spread in their last six Thursday games. Notre Dame is 3-7 against the spread against a team with a winning percentage over .600, 1-6 against the spread following a cover, and 1-5 against the spread following a win.
The total here looks aggressively low and it’s just a slight lean to the over for me.
Pick
Over 126.5
Louisville Cardinals vs. Villanova Wildcats
The Louisville Cardinals and the Villanova Wildcats face off on Thursday as the Big East Tournament continues in Madison Square Garden. The Cardinals are -3.5 point favorites over the Wildcats with an over/under point total set at 123.5.
The Louisville Cardinals are looking to defend their Big East Tournament title from last season but it isn’t going to be an easy road to get there. Louisville is 14-4 in Big East play, 3-1 in neutral site games, and have won their last seven games and 10 of their last 11. As a team Louisville is averaging 73.5 points, 14.9 assists, and they are shooting 4.6 percent while defensively they are allowing 59.4 points, 10.3 assists, and their opponents are shooting 38.8 percent. Russ Smith is averaging 17.9 points, Chane Behanan is averaging 10.4 points and 7.0 rebounds, Gorgui Dieng is averaging 10.3 points and 10.1 rebounds, and Peyton Siva is averaging 9.9 points and 5.9 assists. Louisville looks to be peaking just at the right time.
The Villanova Wildcats look to be in the NCAA Tournament but a win in this game would cement their position in March Madness. Villanova took care of business on Wednesday knocking off a St. John’s team which is known for playing tough in madison Square garden. Mouphtaou Yarou had 18 points and seven rebounds in the win and Ryan Arcidiacono ad 15 points including going seven of eight from the free throw line. JayVaughn Pinston added 12 points and nine rebounds and Tony Chennault had eight points. Villanova played the 24th ranked schedule in the nation tis year and went 4-4 against teams ranked in the top 25 including beating Louisville soundly in their only meeting this season.
Louisville is 11-2 against the spread in their last 13 neutral site games, 30-11 against the spread following a win, and 4-0 against the spread in their last four games. Villanova is 4-1 against the spread in their last five games, 4-0 against the spread against a team with a winning record, and 4-11 against the spread in their last 15 neutral site games.
The total is set at 123.5 and I have this one staying under that number.
Pick
Under 123.5
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Texas A&M Aggies vs. Auburn Tigers
The Texas A&M Aggies and the Auburn Tigers face off on Wednesday in Nashville in SEC college basketball Tournament action. The Aggies are -5 point favorites over the Tigers with an over/under point total set at 120.
The Texas A&M had a rough go of it in their first year in the SEC but with a few good days in Nashville could turn it all around for them. Texas A&M is 7-11 in SEC, 1-2 in neutral site games, and they played the 56th ranked schedule in the country. As a team the Aggies are averaging 63.9 points, 11.7 assists, and they are shooting 44.7 percent while defensively they allow 62.7 points, 12.3 assists, and they are shooting 41.4 percent while defensively they are allowing 62.7 points, 12.3 assists, and their opponents are shooting 41.4 percent. Elston Turner is averaging 17.7 points, Fabyon Harris is averaging 11.9 points, and Ray Turner is averaging 9.4 points and 6.5 rebounds. Texas A&M has shown flashes of being able to take on just about anyone so they may have what it takes to go on a run in Nashville.
The Auburn Tigers have lost their last nine games and were the worst team in the SEC this season. Auburn is 3-15 in the SEC, 1-3 in neutral site games, and they played the 133th ranked schedule in the nation this year. As a team Auburn is averaging 64.9 points, 12.4 assists, and they are shooting 40.9 percent while defensively they are allowing 69.7 points, 13.5 assists, and their opponents are shooting 42.9 percent. Frankie Sullivan is averaging 14.4 points, Rob Chubb is averaging 9.0 points and 6.7 rebounds, and Allen Payne is averaging 7.8 points. It is only Tony Barbee’s second season in Auburn but he has to be feeling the heat.
Auburn is 0-8 against the spread following a loss, 5-15-1 against the spread in their last 21 neutral site games, and 0-6 against the spread against a team with a winning record. Texas A&M is 1-4 against the spread in their last five games, 0-4 against the spread in their last four neutral site games, and 39-17 against the spread following a loss.
The total is set at 20 and I see this one staying below that number.
Pick
Under 120
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South Carolina Gamecocks vs. Mississippi St. Bulldogs
The South Carolina Gamecocks and the Mississippi State Bulldogs face off on Wednesday in Nashville as they open the SEC Tournament. The Gamecocks are -5 point favorites over the Bulldogs with an over/under point total set at 128.
The South Carolina Gamecocks have had an awful season but they did manage a win on March 6th when they knocked off Mississippi State. South Carolina was 4-14 in the SEC, 3-0 in neutral site games, and they played the 146th ranked schedule in the nation. As a team South Carolina averaged 66.3 points, 10.2 assists, and they shot 40.7 percent while defensively they allowed 69.6 points, 13 assists, and their opponents shot 45.1 percent. Brenton Williams is averaging 11 points, Michael Carrera is averaging 10 points and 7.5 rebounds, and Bruce Ellington is averaging 9.8 points. South Carolina finished tied for 12th place in the SEC.
The Mississippi State Bulldogs closed the season out winning two of their last three games, their best stretch of the last several months. MSU was 4-14 in the SEC, 1-3 in neutral site games, and they played the 106th ranked schedule in the nation. As a team Mississippi State is averaging 60.6 points, 9.5 assists, and they are shooting 40.1 percent while defensively they are allowing 69.9 points, 14.8 assists, and their opponents are shooting 43.9 percent. Craig Sword is averaging 10.5 points, Fred Thomas is averaging 9.6 points, and Gavin Ware and Colin Borchert are averaging 8.7 points each. A win would send Mississippi State into a match up against Tennessee.
Mississippi State is 0-4 against the spread in their last four neutral site games, 4-12 against the spread following a game which they covered the spread and 5-1 against the spread against a team with a losing record. South Carolina is 4-0 against the spread in their last four neutral site games, 0-5 against the spread in their last five games, and 2-7 against the spread following a loss. The underdog has covered the point spread in the last four meetings of these two.
The total is set at 128 and I have this one falling short of that number.
Pick
Under 128
Purdue Boilermakers vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers
The Purdue Boilermakers and the Minnesota Golden Gophers close out the Big Ten college basketball regular seasons as they face off on Saturday in West Lafayette. The Golden Gophers are -3.5 point favorites over Boilermakers with an over/under total set 126.
It has been a rebuilding year for the Purdue Boilermakers marked by inconsistent play and growing pains. Purdue is 7-10 in the Big 10, 10-6 at home this season, and they 3-13 against teams with a RPI better than 100. As a team Purdue is averaging 64.8 points, 13.4 assists, and they are shooting 41.7 percent while defensively they are allowing 64.3 points, 12.3 assists, and their opponents are shooting 39.7 percent. Terone Johnson is averaging 13.5 points, A.J. Hammons is averaging 10.5 points and 6.2 rebounds, and D.J. Byrd is averaging 9.7 points. Purdue has played the 44th ranked schedule in the nation this year.
The Minnesota Golden Gophers could be on the bubble of making the NCAA Tournament field but if they can get he win here their strength of schedule and RPI should get them in. Minnesota is 8-9 in the Big Ten, 3-7 on the road this season, and they have played the number two ranked schedule overall. As a team Minnesota is averaging 68.9 points, 14.8 assists, and they are shooting 44.4 percent while defensively they are allowing 61.1 points, 11.8 assists, and their opponents are shooting 39.4 percent. Andre Hollins is averaging 13.6 points, Austin Hollins and Rodney Williams are averaging 10.4 points each, and Trevor Mbakwe is averaging 10.2 points and 8.7 rebounds. Minnesota should make the field for March Madness but nothing is ever a certainty when it comes to the NCAA selection committee.
Purdue is 5-2 against the spread in their last seven home games, 2-6 against the spread against a team with a winning record, and 1-3-1 against the spread following a game which they covered the spread. Minnesota is 2-6-1 against the spread in their last nine games overall, 0-4 against the spread in their last four road games, and 7-2 against the spread against a team with a losing record. The home team is 8-3-1 against the spread in the last 12 meetings of these two.
Minnesota has been winning against the teams they should beat and this one though looks like a close one and a coin flip and I will take the points with the home team.
Pick
Purdue Boilermakers +3.5 Minnesota Golden Gophers
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Kentucky Wildcats vs. Florida Gators
The Florida Gators and the Kentucky Wildcats face off on Saturday in Lexington as they close out their regular season college basketball schedules. The Gators are -5 point favorites over the Wildcats with an over/under point total set 132.
The Kentucky Wildcats have lost their last two games and they are on the bubble to make the NCAA Tournament with a chance to defend their National Title from a year ago. UK is 11-6 in the SEC, 15-2 at home this season, and with an RPI of 53 and a strength of schedule of 76 they might need some late season heroics in this game and the SEC conference tournament. As a team Kentucky is averaging 74.3 points, 13.9 assists, and they are shooting 48.1 percent while defensively they are allowing 64.9 points, 11.1 assists, and their opponents are shooting 38.8 percent. Archie Goodwin is averaging 14 points, Alex Poythress is averaging 11.7 points and 6.0 rebounds, Kyle WiIltjer is averaging 10.8 points, and Ryan Harrow is averaging 10.2 points. Even before the Cats lost Nerlens Noel for the year they were falling well short of expectations.
The Florida Gators are the regular season SEC champions and have won three of their last four games. Florida is 14-3 in the SEC, 7-4 on the road this season, and have played the 39th ranked schedule in the nation. As a team Florida is averaging 72.5 points, 15.4 assists, and they are shooting 48.8 percent while defensively they are allowing 54 points, 9.9 assists, and their opponents are shooting 37.3 percent. Mike Rosario and Kenny Boynton are averaging 12.6 points each, Erik Murphy is averaging 12.3 points and 5.0 rebounds, and Patric Young is averaging 10.5 points and 6.3 rebounds. Florida is looking at a two or three seed in the NCAA Tournament depending on how it all shakes out over the next week or so.
Kentucky is 2-6 against the spread in their last eight games overall, 5-15 against the spread in their last 20 SEC games, and 0-5 against the spread following a loss. Florida is 11-4 against the spread following a win, 1-4 against the spread in their last five games overall, and 8-2 against the spread following a game which they covered the spread. Florida is 3-1-1 against the spread in their last five games at Kentucky.
The total in this one is set at 132 and I have it going over that number,
Pick
Over 132
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Michigan St. Spartans vs. Wisconsin Badgers
The Michigan State Spartans and the Wisconsin Badgers face off on Thursday in East Lansing in Big Ten college basketball action. The Spartans are -5 point favorites over the Badgers with an over/under point total set at 119.5.
The Michigan State Spartans has lost their last three games in a row but all three of them were against teams ranked in the top 15 in the nation and the last two of those were on the road. Michigan State is 11-5 in the Big Ten, 15-1 at home this season, and they have played the fifth ranked schedule in the country. As a team Michigan State is averaging 69.2 points, 13.4 assists, and they are shooting 46.4 percent while defensively they are allowing 59.8 points, 10.8 assists, and their opponents are shooting 39.3 percent. Keith Appling is averaging 13.2 points, Gary Harris is averaging 13.3 points, and Branden Dawson and Adreian Payne are averaging 10.1 points each. Michigan State finishes their regular season at home on Sunday against Northwestern.
The Wisconsin Badgers are coming off of their worst loss of the year as they led big early against Purdue but ended up losing outright by 13 in their home finale. Wisconsin is 11-5 at home this season, 4-5 on the road, and 3-4 against teams ranked in the top 25. Jared Berggren is averaging 11.6 points and 7.0 rebounds, Ben Brust is averaging 11.3 points and 5.4 rebounds, and Ryan Evans is averaging 10.4 points and 7.6 rebounds. Wisconsin lost by two at home in the earlier meeting of the two. Wisconsin finishes out the regular season at Penn State on Sunday.
Michigan State is 3-1-1 against the spread following a game which they covered the spread 9-4 against the spread in their last 13 home games against a team with losing road record, and 2-5 against the spread in their last seven Thursday games. Wisconsin is 4-1-1 against the spread against the Big Ten, 3-1-1 against the spread against a team with a winning record, and 6-1 against the spread following a double-digit home loss. The home team is 13-5 against the spread in the last 18 meetings of these two.
The total is set at 119.5 and this looks to be too aggressive to the low side and I have it going over that number.
Pick
Over 119.5
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Mississippi St. Bulldogs vs. South Carolina Gamecocks
The South Carolina Gamecocks and the Mississippi State Bulldogs battle it out on Wednesday with the loser falling to last place in the SEC. The Gamecocks are 9.5 point favorites over the Bulldogs.
The South Carolina Gamecocks have been nothing short of awful this season as they have lost their last three games in a row and nine of their last 10. South Carolina is 3-13 in the SEC, 9-8 at home this season, and they are in the three-way tie for last place in the SEC standings. South Carolina is averaging 66 points, 12 assists, and they are shooting 41.5 percent while defensively they are allowing 68.6 points, 13 assists, and their opponents are shooting 44.9 percent. Brenton Williams is averaging 10 points, Bruce Ellington is averaging 9.8 points, and Michael Carrera is averaging 10.4 points and 7.2 rebounds. This is South Carolina’s last home game of the season and a season Gamecock fans would like to forget.
The Mississippi State Bulldogs are coming off of a win, a win that ended a 12 game losing streak. MSU is 3-13 in the SEC, 1-10 on the road, and are part of the three-way logjam in last place in the conference standings. As a team Mississippi State is averaging 59.7 points, 9.7 assists, and they are shooting 39.7 percent while defensively they are allowing 69.5 points, 14.8 assists, and their opponents are shooting 43.9 percent. Craig Sword is averaging 9.7 points, Fred Thomas is averaging 9.4 points, and Gavin Ware is averaging 8.9 points and 6.4 rebounds. Mississippi State has been absolutely miserable on the court this season.
South Carolina is 2-8 against the spread in their last 10 home games, 2-6 against the spread following a loss, and 7-20 against the spread in their last 27 games against a team with a losing record. Mississippi State is 4-10 against the spread in their last 14 games overall, 5-13 against the spread in their last 18 road games, and 2-12 against the spread following a game which they covered the point spread. The road team has covered the spread in four of the last five meetings of these two.
There isn’t a good option in this one but South Carolina is clearly the better of the two.
Pick
South Carolina Gamecocks -9.5 Mississippi St. Bulldogs
Purdue Boilermakers vs. Michigan Wolverines
The Purdue Boilermakers and the Michigan Wolverines face off on Wednesday in Big Ten college basketball action. The Wolverines are -6.5 point favorites over the Boilermakers with an over/under point total set at 133.5.
It has been a rebuilding year for the Purdue Boilermakers but they are coming off of their biggest win of the year as they battered Wisconsin in Madison on Sunday. Purdue is 7-9 in the Big 10 this year, 10-5 at home, and 1-7 against teams ranked in the top 25. Purdue is averaging 64.4 points, 13.3 assists, and they are shooting 41.7 percent while defensively they are allowing 63.8 points, 12.2 assists, and their opponents are shooting 39.6 percent. Terone Johnson is averaging 12.9 points, A.J. Hammons is averaging 10.7 points and 6.3 rebounds, and D.J. Byrd is averaging 10 points. With a win here Purdue will have a chance to finish the season over .500 and earn a possible post-season spot.
The Michigan Wolverines have won three of their last four games but they haven’t looked like the dominant team they looked like earlier in the year. Michigan is 11-5 in the Big 10, 4-5 on the road this season, and they are the seventh ranked team in the nation. As a team Michigan is averaging 75.4 points, 14.6 assists, and they are shooting 49.2 percent while defensively they allow 61.9 points, 12.3 assists, and their opponents are shooting 41.7 percent. Trey Burke is averaging 18.9 points and 6.9 assists, Tim Hardaway Jr. is averaging 14.9 points, Nik Stauskas is averaging 11.4 points, and Glenn Robinson III is averaging 11 points and 5.4 rebounds. Michigan is likely a two or three seed in the NCAA Tournament this season as their loss to Penn State will probably cost them.
Purdue is 1-6 against the spread against a team with a winning record, 0-3-1 against the spread following a win, and 0-3-1 against the spread following a game which they covered the point spread. Michigan is 1-7 against the spread in their last eight games overall, 0-4 against the spread in their last four road games, and 1-4 against the spread against a team with a losing record. The underdog is 4-1-1 against the spread in the last six meetings of these two.
The total is set at 133.5 and that number seems to be a bit on the high side.
Pick
Under 133.5
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