College Basketball
Syracuse Orange vs. South Florida Bulls
February 22, 2012 | 
Author The Syracuse Orange and the South Florida Bulls meet in Big East college hoops action on Wednesday at the Carrier Dome. The Orange is -14.5 point favorites over the Bulls with an over/under point total of 123.
The Syracuse Orange have been one of the best teams in the nation all season long and Jim Boeheim’s team appears headed towards a number one seed in the NCAA Tournament. SU is 14-1 in the Big East, 17-0 at home this season, and they can clinch no worse than a tie for first place in the conference with one more win. Kris Joseph is averaging 14 points and 4.8 rebounds, Dion Waiters is averaging 12 points, Brandon Triche is averaging 9.4 points, and C.J. Fair is averaging 9.2 points and 5.5 rebounds. As a team Syracuse is averaging 76.8 points, 16.4 assists, and they are shooting 47.6 percent while defensively they are allowing 60.8 points and their opponents are shooting 38.5 percent. While it isn’t March yet Syracuse looks to be ready for the madness.
The South Florida Bulls look to have built their team specifically for Big East play as Stan Heath’s team didn’t appear to be much before conference play started but they have been a force in conference play. USF is 10-4 in the Big East, 4-7 on the road this season, and tied for fourth place in the conference. Augustus Gilchrist is averaging 10.5 points and 4.8 rebounds, Victor Rudd is averaging 9.1 points and 4.3 rebounds, and Toarlyn Fitzpatrick is averaging 8.2 points and 6.5 rebounds. As a team South Florida is averaging 61.1 points and they are shooting 44.3 percent while defensively they are allowing 58.2 points and they are shooting 39.8 percent. South Florida has been impressive as they are riding a four game winning streak and have won eight of their last 10 but they or 0-4 against teams ranked in the top 25.
Syracuse is 10-3 against the spread following a game which they didn’t cover, 2-5 against the spread against a team with a winning record, and 2-6 against the spread following a win. South Florida is 4-0 against the spread in their last four games overall, 5-1 against the spread following a cover, and 5-2 against the spread following a win. The home team has covered in four of the last five meetings of these two.
With the way South Florida has been playing this would appear to be a gift getting the boatload of points but it’s just a free play as this is a big step up in competition and the Orange have been relentless at home making this pick a lean at best.
Pick
South Florida Bulls +14.5 Syracuse Orange
Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. West Virginia Mountaineers
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the West Virginia Mountaineers meet on Wednesday in South Bend for a Big East college basketball match up. The Fighting Irish is -3 point favorites over the Mountaineers with an over/under point total set at 128.
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have caught fire and are one of the hottest teams in the nation as Mike Brey’s team has won eight consecutive games and are surging up the conference standings. ND is 11-3 in the Big East, 14-1 at home this season, and tied for second place in the conference standings. Eric Atkins is averaging 13 points, Jerian Grant is averaging 12.9 points and 4.9 assists, and Jack Cooley is averaging 12.2 points and 9.3 rebounds. As a team Notre Dame is averaging 68.2 points and they are shooting 43.4 percent while defensively they are allowing 62.2 points and their opposition shoots 40.7 percent. The Irish are playing fundamentally sound basketball and it is yielding solid results that have them looking like a team who can make some noise in March.
The West Virginia Mountaineers will be looking for revenge for a four point loss they were handed by ND in Morgantown a few weeks back as Bob Huggins’ team is going to need all of the wins they can get to cement their spot in the NCAA Tournament field. WVU is 7-7 in the Big East, 3-5 on the road this season, and in eighth place in the conference standings. Kevin Jones is averaging 20.4 points and 11.3 rebounds, Darryl Bryant is averaging 16.7 points, and Deniz Kilicli is averaging 11.6 points and 5.4 rebounds. As a team West Virginia is averaging 73.3 points and they are shooting 45.4 percent and their opponents are averaging 6.5 points while shooting 44 percent. The Mountaineers are talented and experienced so a late season run isn’t out of the question.
Notre Dame is 7-1 against the spread in their last eight games overall, 5-2 against the spread in their last seven home games, and 5-0 against the spread against a team with a winning record. West Virginia is 1-4 against the spread in their last five games, 1-4 against the spread against a team with a winning record, and 1-4 against the spread following a win. The home team has covered in five of the last seven meetings of these two.
This one shapes up to be a war but even so this total is just a little too low I will go with the over.
Pick
Over 128
LSU Tigers vs. Georgia Bulldogs
The LSU Tigers and the Georgia Bulldogs meet on Wednesday in Baton Rouge in SEC college basketball action. The Tigers are -6 point favorites over the Bulldogs with an over/under point total set at 120.
The LSU Tigers have been improving all season long and Trent Johnson’s team is playing their best basketball of the season winning their last three in a row and four of their last five. LSU is 6-6 in the SEC, 10-3 at home this season, and in a four way tie for fourth place in the conference standings. Justin Hamilton is averaging 13.9 points and 7.2 rebounds, Andre Stringer is averaging 10.1 points, and Anthony Hickey is averaging 9.6 points. As a team the Tigers are averaging 66.5 points and they are shooting 41.1 percent from the floor while defensively they are allowing 63.2 points and their opponents are shooting 41.1 percent. If LSU can win out during the regular season it could make it interesting on Selection Sunday.
The Georgia Bulldogs are having a tough year and it will take everything they have for Mark Fox’s team to finish out of the basement in the SEC this season. UGA is 3-9 in SEC play, 2-7 on the road this season, and they are in 11th place in the conference standings. Gerald Robinson is averaging 14.1 points, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is averaging 13.9 points and 5.2 rebounds, and Dustin Ware is averaging 8.1 points. As a team the Dawgs are averaging 61.3 points and they are shooting 39.2 percent while defensively they are allowing 62.8 points and their opponents are shooting 42.2 percent. With Florida and Kentucky up next for Georgia it looks like finishing over .500 this season isn’t going to happen.
LSU is 4-1 against the spread in their last five games, 1-4 against the spread in their last five Wednesday games, and 4-1 against the spread in their last five home games against a team with a losing road record. Georgia is 6-15 against the spread in their last 21 games against a team with a winning record, 1-4 against the spread following a loss, and 3-7 against the spread in their last 10 road games against a team with a winning percentage higher than .600. The road team has covered in nine of the last 13 meetings of these two.
Once again the odds makers have gotten a little too aggressive with the total to the low side and while I don’t see the scoreboard exploding I see enough scoring to make this an over.
Pick
Over 120
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Tags: College Basketball betting, Georgia Bulldogs, LSU Tigers | 
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Ohio St. Buckeyes vs. Illinois Fighting Illini
The Ohio State Buckeyes look to stay in contention for the Big Ten regular season title as they host the struggling Illinois Fighting Illini on Tuesday. The Buckeyes are -16.5 point favorites over the Fighting Illini with an over/under point total set at 129.
Revenge will be a factor for the Ohio State Buckeyes as Thad Matta’s team looks to redeem themselves from an earlier loss in Champaign but also they are focused in on a season ending match up with Michigan State which could decide a lot when it comes to March madness seeding. OSU is 10-4 in the Big 10, 16-1 at home, and tied for second place in the conference standings with Michigan who they lost to on Saturday. Jared Sullinger is averaging 17.5 points and 9.2 rebounds, William Buford is averaging 15 points, and Deshaun Thomas is averaging 14.6 points. As a team Ohio State is averaging 74.9 points and they are shooting 47.8 percent while defensively they are allowing 57.1 points and their opponents are shooting 40.2 percent. Ohio State looks to be up against the same issue they had a year ago where their starters are as good if not better than anyone’s but they don’t have the depth.
The season has turned into an outright collapse for the Illinois Fighting Illini as Bruce Weber’s team has lost five games in a row and eight of their last nine games to all but knock themselves out of the NCAA Tournament. Illinois is 5-9 in the Big 10, 2-6 on the road this season, and they are tied for ninth place in the conference standings. Brandon Paul is averaging 14.9 points and 4.8 rebounds, Meyers Leonard is averaging 12.9 points and 8.0 rebounds, and D.J. Richardson is averaging 12.1 points. As a team Illinois is averaging 66.2 points and they are shooting 44.7 percent while defensively they are allowing 63.4 points and their opponents are shooting 42.3 percent. Weber has had a nice run at Illinois over his tenure but that tenure could end if the Illini don’t find answers soon.
Ohio State is 4-1 against the spread in their last five games following a game which they didn’t cover, 4-0 against the spread following a loss, and 6-2 against the spread in their last eight home games. Illinois is 0-4 against the spread following a loss, 0-5 against the spread in their last five road games, and 0-4 against the spread against a team with a winning record. Illinois is 3-8 against the spread in their last 11 visits at Ohio State.
The total is set at 129 and with these two it shouldn’t be much of an issue and my pick will be the over.
Pick
Over 129
Georgetown Hoyas vs. Seton Hall Pirates
The Seton Hall Pirates look to finish the regular season strong and snag a spot in the NCAA Tournament as they host the Georgetown Hoyas on Tuesday. The Hoyas are -1 point favorites over the Pirates with an over/under point total set at 123.
The Seton Hall Pirates started their Big East season strong but since then Kevin Willard’s team has gone 3-7 and despite a strong RPI and strength of schedule could be on the bubble for making the NCAA Tournament field of 68. SHU is 7-8 in the Big East, 12-2 at home this season, and they are ninth place in the conference standings. Jordon Theodore is averaging 15.7 points and 6.8 assists, Herb Pope is averaging 15.4 points and 10.6 rebounds, and Fuquan Edwin is averaging 12.9 points and 6.6 rebounds. As a team Seton Hall is averaging 68.8 points and they are shooting 43.2 percent while defensively they are allowing 63.2 points and their opponents are shooting 41 percent. Seton Hall finished the season with games against DePaul and Rutgers, game they figure to be favored in, so with a win here it could boost their status tremendously.
The Georgetown Hoyas are a lock to make the NCAA Tournament and with a strong record, a top 10 ranking, and a strong schedule John Thompson III’s team could be looking at high seed as well. Georgetown is 10-4 in the Big East, 6-3 on the road this season, and tied for fourth place in the conference. Jason Clark is averaging 14.8 points and 4.2 rebounds, Hollis Thompson is averaging 13.4 points and 5.5 rebounds, and Henry Sims is averaging 11.4 points and 5.6 rebounds. As a team Georgetown is averaging 70.3 points and they are shooting 46.4 percent while defensively they are allowing 58.7 points and their opponents are shooting 38.4 percent. Georgetown has won seven of their last nine and while they can be beat it takes an off night from them and a big night from their opponent.
Seton Hall is 4-0 against the spread in their last four games overall, 7-2 against the spread in their last nine home games, and 15-6 against the spread in their last 21 games against a team with a winning record. Georgetown is 4-1 against the spread in their last five games overall, 7-3 against the spread in their last 10 road games, and 3-7 against the spread in their last 10 games against a team with a winning record. The favorite has covered in six of the last eight meetings of these two.
I will go with the home team in what is really just a lean at best.
Pick
Seton Hall +1 Georgetown Hoyas
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Auburn Tigers vs. Florida Gators
The Florida Gators and the Auburn Tigers meet on Tuesday in SEC college basketball action. The Gators are -17.5 point favorites over the Tigers with an over/under point total set at 134.5.
The Florida Gators can’t say they didn’t have their chances to win the SEC this season but a series sweep to Tennessee and a beat down in Lexington have been their undoing as Billy Donovan’s team is not going to catch Kentucky in the standings. UF is 9-3 in the SEC, 13-1 at home this season, and they are in second place in the conference standings. Kenny Boynton is averaging 17.5 points, Bradley Beal is averaging 14.6 points and 6.3 rebounds, Erving Walker is averaging 12.4 points and 4.9 rebounds, and Patric Young is averaging 10.7 points and 6.3 rebounds. As a team Florida is averaging 78.9 points and they are shooting 46.7 percent while defensively they are allowing 65.5 points per game and their opponents are shooting 42.3 percent. Florida is the best three point shooting team in the nation but taking too many three pointers and taking them too early in the shot clock has caused problems for them.
The Auburn Tigers are a young group and Tony Barbee’s team has been playing hard but they obviously still have a lot of work to do. Auburn is 4-8 in the SEC, 1-8 on the road this season, and they are in 10th place in the conference standings. Frankie Sullivan is averaging 12.5 points, Kenny Gabriel is averaging 12.3 points and 7.8 rebounds, and Varez Ward is averaging 9.2 points. As a team Auburn is averaging 63.6 points and they are shooting 42.1 percent while defensively they are allowing 64.2 points and their opponents are shooting 40.5 percent. Auburn will definitely be a team we will be keeping in our back pocket for next year.
Florida is 4-1 against the spread against a team with a winning record, 2-7 against the spread following a cover, and 4-0 against the spread following a win by 20 or more points. Auburn is 9-2 against the spread in their last 11 games overall, 4-1 against the spread in their last five road games, and 7-1 against the spread against a team with a winning record.
This is simply a monster number and while the Gators are great at home and are coming off of a huge win, I have to take the points and Auburn here.
Pick
Auburn Tigers +17.5 Florida Gators
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Villanova Wildcats vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
The Villanova Wildcats and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish battle it out on Saturday in Philadelphia is Big East college basketball action. The Fighting Irish are -1 point favorites over the Wildcats with an over/under point total set at 132.5.
The Villanova Wildcats are clearly having a down year as Jay wright’s team has lost four of their last five games and are near the bottom the Big East standings. Villanova is 4-9 in the Big East, 9-3 at home this season, and they are tied for 11th place in the conference standings. Maalik Wayns is averaging 17.8 points and 4.5 assists, Dominic Cheek is averaging 12.4 points, and Mouphtaou Yarou is averaging 11.1 points and 8.2 rebounds. As a team Villanova is averaging 72.7 points and they are shooting 41.5 percent while their opponents are shooting 41.8 percent and averaging 71.8 points per game. Villanova clearly isn’t what we have come to expect of them and we should see a different team a year from now.
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have been one of the hottest teams in the nation as Mike Brey’s team has won seven games in a row. Notre Dame is 10-3 in Big East play, 4-3 on the road this season, and tied for second place in the conference standings. Jerian Grant is averaging 13 points and 4.8 assists, Eric Atkins is averaging 12.8 points, and Jack Colley is averaging 11.9 points and 9.2 rebounds. As a team ND is averaging 68 points and they are shooting 43.7 percent while defensively they are allowing 61.9 points and their opponents are shooting 40.8 percent. Notre Dame looks to be a force and they are peaking at the right time.
Villanova is 6-20 against the spread in their last 26 Big East games, 5-16 against the spread in their last 21 home games, and 2-12 against the spread in their last 14 home games against a team with a losing road record. Notre Dame is 6-1 against the spread in their last seven Big East games, 4-1 against the spread in their last five road games, and 5-1-1 against the spread against a team with a losing record.
With the total set at 131.5 the easy play here is on the over.
Pick
Over 132.5
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Michigan Wolverines vs. Ohio St. Buckeyes
The Michigan Wolverines and the Ohio State Buckeyes meet in Ann Arbor on Saturday in a Big Ten rivalry match up. The Buckeyes are -5 point favorites over the Wolverines with an over/under point total set at 126.
The Michigan Wolverines have been a team on the rise all season long and continuously improving but it’s getting to be the time of year where what we see is what we are going to get from John Beilein’s team. Michigan is 9-4 in the Big Ten, 14-0 at home this season, in third place in the conference standings, and 3-5 against teams ranked in the top 25. Tim Hardaway Jr. is averaging 14.3 points, Trey Burke is averaging 14 points and 4.8 assists, and Zack Novak is averaging 9.7 points and 4.7 rebounds. As a team Michigan is averaging 66.9 points and they are shooting 46.1 percent while defensively they are allowing 60.5 points and their opponents are shooting 42.3 percent. Michigan has been a force at home and this game is about as big as it gets for them.
The Ohio State Buckeyes are coming off of a statement game as Thad Matta’s went on the road and beat Minnesota by double digits. Ohio State is 10-3 in the Big 10, 5-3 on the road this season, and they are in first place in the conference standings, tied with Michigan State. Jared Sullinger is averaging 17.6 points and 9.2 rebounds, William Buford is averaging 15.3 points and 4.8 rebounds, and Deshaun Thomas is averaging 14.2 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. As a team Ohio State is averaging 75.8 points and they are shooting 48.1 percent while defensively they are allowing 57.1 points and their opponents are shooting 40 percent. Ohio State appears to have the front line talent to compete with any team in the nation but it may be their bench that is once again their undoing.
Michigan is 20-6 against the spread in their last 26 Big Ten games, 1-3-1 against the spread following a cover, and 4-1 against the spread in their last five home games against a team with a winning road record. Ohio State is 4-1 against the spread in their last five road games, 4-1 against the spread in their last five games following a cover, and 5-2 against the spread against a team with a winning record. The underdog has covered in five of the last six meetings of these two.
The total is set at 126 and this one probably goes a shade lower than that.
Pick
Under 126
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Auburn Tigers vs. Mississippi St. Bulldogs
The Auburn Tigers and the Mississippi State Bulldogs battle it out on Saturday in SEC college basketball action. The Bulldogs are -2.5 point favorites over the Tigers with an over/under point total set at 131.5.
The Auburn Tigers have shown flashes of ability to get it done this season but those flashes haven’t come often enough for Tony Barbee’s team of late as they have lost three games in a row and five of their last six. Auburn is 3-8 in the SEC, 12-2 at home this season, and they are tied for 10th place in the conference standings. Frankie Sullivan is averaging 12.4 points and 4.1 rebounds, Kenny Gabriel is averaging 12.2 points and 7.8 rebounds, and Varez Ward is averaging 9.1 points. As a team Auburn is averaging 63.6 points and they are shooting 41.9 percent while defensively they are allowing 64.5 points and their opponents are shooting 40.7 percent. Auburn has talent but that hasn’t meant wins for them too often this year.
The Mississippi State Bulldogs have lost two games in a row and Rick Stansbury’s team still appears safe when it comes to making the NCAA Tournament. MSU is 6-5 in the SEC, 2-4 on the road this season, and tied for fourth place in the conference standings. Arnett Moultrie is averaging 16.5 points and 10.8 rebounds, Dee Bost is averaging 16 points and 5.0 assists, Rodney Hood is averaging 11.2 points and 5.1 rebounds, and Renardo Sidney is averaging 10.4 points and 5.2 rebounds. As a team Mississippi State is averaging 73.2 points and they are shooting 46.4 percent while defensively they are allowing 66.7 points and their opponents are shooting 43 percent. Mississippi State’s solid season could quickly turn to disappointment if they don’t right the ship in a hurry.
Auburn is 4-1 against the spread in their last five home games, 6-1 against the spread in their last seven games against a team with a winning record, and 8-2 against the spread in their last 10 games overall. Mississippi State is 1-4 against the spread in their last five road games, 1-4 against the spread in their last five games against a team with a winning record, and 2-5 against the spread in their last seven Saturday games. The home team is 3-1-1 against the spread in the last five meetings of these two.
I like Auburn as the home dog here but the numbers all point to a Mississippi State cover and that’s my play in this spot.
Pick
Mississippi St. Bulldogs -2.5 Auburn Tigers
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Penn St. Nittany Lions vs. Iowa Hawkeyes
The Penn State Nittany Lions and the Iowa Hawkeyes meet on Thursday Night in Big Ten college hoops action. The Nittany Lions are -2.5 point favorites over the Hawkeyes with an over/under point total set at 137.5.
The Penn State Nittany Lions have suffered through a brutal season but they didn’t look like it in their last outing as Patrick Chambers’ team won going away against Nebraska. PSU is 3-10 in the Big 10, 9-5 at home this season, and in 11th and last place in the conference standings. Tim Frazier is averaging 18.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 6.4 assists, Jermaine Marshall is averaging 10.4 points, and Cammeron Woodyard is averaging 8.8 points and 4.2 rebounds. As a team Penn State is averaging 61.8 points and they are shooting 38.7 percent while defensively they are allowing 64.8 points and their opponents are shooting 42.7 percent. Penn State has had little to cheer about this season and have not strung together back to back conference wins.
The Iowa Hawkeyes have had a week off and for Fran McCaffrey’s team it has been a week to stew about a 19 point loss to Northwestern that ended a two game winning streak. Iowa is 5-7 in the Big 10, 2-6 on the road this season, and in a three way tie for seventh place in the conference standings. Matt Gatens is averaging 14 points, Roy Devyn Marble is averaging 11.1 points, and Aaron White is averaging 10.2 points and 5.3 rebounds. As a team Iowa is averaging 73.8 points and they are shooting 45.4 percent while defensively they are allowing 72.5 points and their opponents are shooting 45.9 percent. Iowa beat Penn State by 13 points just two games back.
Penn State is 5-1 against the spread in their last six home games, 1-5 against the spread following a win, and 5-11 against the spread in their last 16 games overall. Iowa is 5-2 against the spread in their last seven Thursday games, 5-1 against the spread against a team with a losing record, and 6-1 against the spread in their last seven games against Penn State.
The total is set at 137.5 but I don’t have this game getting there. I’m going with the under.
Pick
Under 137.5
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