The Bum's March NCAABB Conference Playoffs Thru The Madness Picks-Trends-News-Stats !!

[StarDust Bum]

Wednesday's Tip Sheet
March 1, 2016


**Texas Tech at West Virginia**

-- West Virginia (22-7 straight up, 16-10 against the spread) has a great shot at a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament if it can win its last two games (at Baylor this weekend) and produce a strong showing at the Big 12 Tournament. The Mountaineers have won 12 of 14 home games while compiling an 8-3 spread record.

-- Bob Huggins’s squad is No. 14 in the RPI Rankings, compiling a 5-4 record against the Top 25, a 5-7 mark versus the Top 50 and a 9-7 ledger against the Top 100. WVU has quality wins outside of Morgantown, including wins at Texas Tech, at Iowa State and at Kansas State, in addition to neutral-court triumphs over San Diego State and James Madison (RPI: 99). The Mountaineers have home wins over Kansas, Baylor, Iowa State and Kansas State.

-- West Virginia lost back-to-back games and three of four in mid-February. Since then, however, it has won consecutive games vs. Iowa State (97-87) and at Oklahoma State (70-56). The Mountaineers took the cash as 7.5-point road ‘chalk’ Saturday in Stillwater. Jaysean Paige led the way with 17 points, while Devin Williams produced a double-double with 13 points and 15 rebounds. WVU destroyed the Cowboys on the glass with a 39-23 rebounding advantage, including 18 offensive boards.

-- WVU likes to provide 40 minutes of in-your-face defense from baseline to baseline. The Mountaineers run their style effectively, rankings second in the nation in steals with 9.9 per game.

-- Paige leads WVU in scoring with a 14.3 points-per-game average. His 41 steals tie him for second on the club along with Williams. Jevon Carter (9.2 PPG) leads the Mountaineers in assists (90) and steals (49). Williams (13.3 PPG, 9.1 RPG) nearly averages a double-double.

-- Texas Tech (18-10 SU, 14-11 ATS) saw its five-game winning streak snapped in Saturday’s 67-58 loss at Kansas as a 13.5-point underdog. Toddrick Gotcher scored a game-high 20 points on 5-of-9 shooting from 3-point range. The Red Raiders shot an abysmal 31.6 percent from the field, but they covered nonetheless thanks to 16-of-18 shooting from the free-throw line.

-- Tubby Smith’s team has lost six of its nine road assignments, but it has gone 5-4 ATS.

-- Texas Tech has a balanced scoring attack with seven players averaging at least 8.6 points per game. Gotcher is scoring at a team-best 11.2 PPG clip and has a 64/21 assists-to-turnovers ratio. The senior guard also has a team-high 30 steals and is draining 40.6 percent of his launches from long distance. Zach Smith is averaging 10.0 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. The sophomore forward is a shot-blocking presence with a team-high 43 rejections.

-- Texas Tech has been a road underdog eight times, going 4-4 ATS with a pair of outright wins at Baylor and at Oklahoma St. Regardless of the venue, the Red Raiders are 7-8 ATS with five outright victories in 15 games as underdogs. However, they have covered the number in five consecutive games as ‘dogs with four outright victories.

-- Texas Tech is No. 23 in the RPI, posting a 3-7 record against the Top 25, a 6-8 mark versus the Top 50 and a 7-9 ledger against the Top 100. The Red Raiders have five home wins over Top-50 teams like Texas, Iowa State, Oklahoma, South Dakota State and Arkansas-Little Rock. Their only defeat to a team outside of the Top 100 came at Arkansas in overtime.

-- The ‘over’ is 13-12 overall for the Red Raiders, 5-4 in their road games.

-- The ‘under’ is 14-11-1 overall for WVU, 7-4 in its home outings.

-- The road team is 8-1 ATS in the last nine head-to-head meetings between these schools.

-- West Va. has won five in a row over Texas Tech while going 4-1 ATS. The Mountaineers captured an 80-76 win in Lubbock as 3.5-point road favorites on Jan. 23. The 156 combined points catapulted ‘over’ the 143-point total. Paige scored 22 points and Tarik Phillip finished with 20. Smith scored a team-high 18 points in the losing effort.

-- Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Eastern on ESPNU.

**Oregon at UCLA**

-- Oregon (23-6 SU, 15-11 ATS) has lost five of its eight road games while posting a 4-4 spread record.

-- Oregon is No. 4 in the RPI thanks to a 4-1 record against the Top 25, a 10-3 mark versus the Top 50 and a 16-5 ledger against the Top 100. The Ducks have won convincingly at Arizona (83-75) and at Utah (77-59) and beat Alabama on a neutral court. Other Top-50 victories at home have come over Baylor, Valpo, Cal, USC, Colorado, Utah and Oregon State.

-- Dana Altman’s team has won three in a row, including Sunday’s 86-73 victory over Washington as an 11-point home favorite. Elgin Cook scored 26 points and grabbed seven rebounds, while Dillon Brooks contributed 19 points, five boards and three assists. Casey Benson and Jordan Bell added 12 points apiece.

-- Brooks is averaging 17.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. Cook is averaging 14.2 points and 4.6 rebounds per game and has a team-best 40 steals.

-- UCLA (15-14 SU, 11-18 ATS) has an 11-4 SU record and a 7-8 ATS mark at Pauley Pavilion. The Bruins have lost back-to-back games and seven of its last 10, including a pair of games by the Bay this past weekend. They fell 75-63 at Cal on Thursday and then went down 79-70 Saturday at Stanford as one-point road ‘chalk.’ Bryce Alford scored 20 points and dished out five assists compared to one turnover against the Cardinal. The head coach’s son hit 6-of-12 from 3-point range. Isaac Hamilton added 19 points in Palo Alto.

-- Steve Alford’s team is 10th in the Pac-12 standings with a 6-10 league record.

-- UCLA is No. 80 in the RPI and barring an improbable run to win the Pac-12 Tournament, it is going to miss the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2012. The Bruins are 1-5 against the Top 25, 4-8 versus the Top 50 and 7-12 against the Top 100. They have home wins over Kentucky, Arizona and Colorado, in addition to road victories at Gonzaga and at Oregon State.

-- Hamilton paces the Bruins in scoring (16.9 PPG) and is hitting 40.7 percent of his 3-pointers. Alford (16.2 PPG) has a 156/60 assists-to-turnovers ratio, but he’s making only 38.8 percent of his shots from the field.

-- The ‘under’ is 14-12 overall for Oregon, but the ‘over’ is 5-3 in its road contests.

-- The ‘over’ is 17-12 overall for UCLA, 10-5 in its home outings.

-- The ‘under’ has cashed in four consecutive head-to-head meetings between these Pac-12 adversaries.

-- Oregon has won four of the last five over UCLA and is 7-3 ATS in the last 10 encounters. When these schools met on Jan. 23 in Eugene, Oregon collected an 86-72 win as a 6.5-point home favorite. The 158 combined points slipped ‘under’ the 159.5-point total. Brooks produced 25 points, seven rebounds and three assists, while Chris Boucher had 18 points, 10 boards and four blocked shots. Cook added 17 points, five rebounds and six assists compared to merely one turnover. For the Bruins, Aaron Holiday finished with 19 points, five rebounds and five assists. Thomas Welch had 16 points and eight board in the losing effort.

-- ESPN2 will have the broadcast at 9:00 p.m. Eastern.

**B.E.’s Bonus Nuggets**

-- Butler and Alabama will both be short home favorites Wednesday night in critical conference games. The Bulldogs and Crimson Tide are teetering on the bubble as part of the ‘Last Four In/First Four Out’ conversation. Butler takes on Seton Hall at Hinkle Fieldhouse, while Alabama faces Arkansas at Coleman Coliseum.

-- Ben Howland has Mississippi State playing its best basketball of the season right now. The Bulldogs have won three of their last four games while going 4-0 versus the number. The lone outright defeat came last week at Texas A&M by a 68-66 count when the Aggies hit a pair of free throws with 2.1 seconds remaining. MSU has covered the spread in five consecutive games as an underdog. The Bulldogs will be short puppies Wednesday at Ole Miss. They have see the ‘under’ prevail in three straight and five of their last six.

-- Michigan has decided to shut down Caris LeVert for the rest of the season. LeVert sustained what’s been described as a lower left leg injury on December 30. He missed 15 straight games before briefly returning against Purdue. LeVert averaged 17.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game.

-- Boise State star forward James Webb III is listed as ‘questionable’ for Wednesday’s home game vs. Nevada. Webb averages 16.0 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. Without Webb, BSU captured a 66-63 comeback win Saturday over San Diego State as a 6.5-point road favorite. The Broncos blew a 15-point lead with 6:01 remaining at New Mexico last week, but they took that improbable loss back against the Aztecs by rallying from nine down with 1:40 remaining. Steve Fisher’s team missed seven straight free throws and Nick Duncan buried a pair of 3’s in the final minute for the Broncos, who scored the game’s last 12 points.

-- San Jose State went 13-4 ATS in 17 games from late November to Feb. 10. Since then, however, the Spartans have failed to cover in four straight. They take a five-game (SU) losing streak to Wyoming on Wednesday night. The ‘under’ is on a 7-2 run for San Jose St.

-- Davidson is 4-6 ATS with three outright wins in 10 games as an underdog. The Wildcats will be healthy ‘dogs Wednesday at VCU. The Rams have won four of their last five games both SU and ATS.

[StarDust Bum]

MARCH BEST BETS: 7 - 4

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2


GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

MSST at MISS 07:00 PM

MISS -5.0


JOES at SBON 07:00 PM

JOES -3.5 BEST BET


TULN at UCF 07:00 PM

UCF -5.0


TTU at WVU 07:00 PM

TTU +10.5


UMBC at STON 07:00 PM

STON -23.5 BEST BET


SFPA at FDU 07:00 PM

FDU -5.0


LIU at SHU 07:00 PM

LIU +2.0 BEST BET


PEAY at TNTC 07:00 PM

TNTC -4.0


MIA at ND 07:00 PM

MIA +3.5


MSU at RUTG 07:00 PM

MSU -24.0


PITT at VT 07:00 PM

PITT -5.0


HART at ALBY 07:00 PM

ALBY -18.0 BEST BET


FOR at DUQ 07:00 PM

DUQ -4.5


SLU at LAS 07:00 PM

LAS -1.5


DAV at VCU 07:00 PM

DAV +11.0


RMU at WAG 07:00 PM

RMU +10.0 BEST BET


BING at UNH 07:30 PM

UNH -9.5


ME at UVM 07:30 PM

UVM -18.0 BEST BET

[StarDust Bum]

LATE GAMES:

TCU at KSU 08:00 PM

KSU -11.0 BEST BET


HALL at BUT 08:30 PM

HALL +5.5 BEST BET


NEV at BSU 09:00 PM

NEV +11.0


CRE at PROV 09:00 PM

PROV -3.0


SJSU at WYO 09:00 PM

SJSU +10.0


EIU at MURR 09:00 PM

MURR -6.5


ORE at UCLA 09:00 PM

ORE -2.5 BEST BET


WIS at MINN 09:00 PM

WIS -10.0


BC at NCST 09:00 PM

NCST -15.0 BEST BET


ARK at ALA 09:00 PM

ARK +1.5


MSM at SFNY 09:00 PM

SFNY -3.5 BEST BET


ECU at USF 09:00 PM

USF +1.0


LBSU at CSF 10:00 PM

CSF +6.5


ORST at USC 11:00 PM

ORST +5.0 BEST BET


WSU at WASH 11:00 PM

WASH -12.0


CSU at FRES 11:00 PM

FRES -5.0

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Fighting Illini (13-16) at Terrapins (23-6)
Date: March 03, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

(AP) - Maryland is struggling at a time when it should be nearing its peak.

Coach Mark Turgeon apparently is not at all worried, given his response Wednesday when reminded that the 14th-ranked Terrapins have lost three of four.

'We've won one out of two, haven't we?' Turgeon said with a grin.

True enough, yet Maryland fell out of contention for the Big Ten title with an 83-79 loss at then-No. 20 Purdue on Saturday. The defeat also blunted the momentum created by an 86-82 win over Michigan on Feb. 21.

So, the Terrapins (23-6, 11-5) have indeed won one of two heading into Thursday night's home finale against Illinois. Prior to that, though, Maryland lost at home to Wisconsin and on the road against lowly Minnesota.

Senior forward Jake Layman, who will be among those honored Thursday before his final home game, said, 'It's time for us to take the next step forward and just start playing.'

Turgeon believes there's time for Maryland to catch fire before March Madness gets under way.

'I feel good about our team,' he said. 'Hopefully what we went through is going to make us a better team in March. That's all you can hope for.'

The schedule of late has been kind to the Terrapins, who have played only once since facing Michigan. That means plenty of time in the gym, working out the kinks in lengthy practice sessions.

'We've got to be where we're playing our best basketball, and we're making some pretty good strides toward that,' Turgeon said. 'I know it doesn't look that way, maybe, if you look at what we've done. But we've had some time to practice and I feel like we're getting ready to really start playing well, whether it's going to be this week, next week or the week after.'

Turgeon hopes the time off will be helpful to guard Melo Trimble, who is 11 for 47 from the field in his last four games. The sophomore guard logged 146 of 160 possible minutes over that span and was really in need of a break.

'This week in practice he shot it well. I think he's getting his legs back underneath him,' Turgeon said. 'He was playing a lot of minutes.'

The Terrapins are also looking for a bounce-back performance from junior forward Robert Carter, who has reached double figures in only one of his last five games.

'We need him,' Turgeon said. 'When he plays well, we win.'

Maryland is 7-0 when Carter scores more than 15 points.

Trimble and Carter are important contributors, but it's going to take a collective effort for the Terrapins to make something good happen in March and overcome the disappointment of being eliminated from contention in the Big Ten title chase.

'That's fine. We still have some things we know we can be better at and we still have some goals we can achieve this year,' senior guard Rasheed Sulaimon said. 'We're just going to try to finish the best we can.'

Illinois (13-16, 5-11) is likely to finish below .500 for the first time since 2007-08. The Illini have lost their three matchups with Top 25 foes by an average of 24.4 points since upsetting Purdue on Jan. 10. Their only other conference wins have come against the teams below them in the standings - two apiece over Minnesota and Rutgers.

One of those victories came Sunday, 84-71 over the Golden Gophers as top scorers Kendrick Nunn and Malcolm Hill combined for 47 points. That duo totaled 13 in a 74-47 loss three days earlier to conference champion Indiana.

Freshman guard Jalen Coleman-Lands had 21 points in that defeat and followed with 18 on Sunday, hitting a combined 10 3-pointers.

Maryland was among the national leaders in defending the 3 at 29.7 percent before allowing its last four opponents to hit 43.0 percent.

Hill's 28 points lifted Illinois to a 64-57 upset of 11th-ranked Maryland last season in the teams' only meeting since the Terrapins joined the Big Ten.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Golden Bears (21-8) at Wildcats (22-7)
Date: March 03, 2016 9:00 PM EDT

(AP) - After entering February with its postseason hopes in peril, California heads into March playing as well as anybody in the country.

The 25th-ranked Golden Bears head into the final weekend of the regular season with a seven-game winning streak and hopes of winning a conference title.

Cal needs a sweep in Arizona - starting with Thursday night's matchup against the No. 18 Wildcats - and for Oregon to lose its season finale against Southern California in order to claim a share of its second Pac-12 title since 1959-60.

"That's big, that's history," coach Cuonzo Martin said Tuesday. "I always tell our guys when it comes to history, you can't get those days back. That is what it is, it's written in stone. That's 20 years from now, 50 years from now. That won't change."

Those kinds of hopes seemed far-fetched for the Bears when they ended January by losing five of seven conference games. But Martin's team has engineered quite the turnaround and enters Thursday with the second-longest winning streak among all power conference teams. Only No. 1 Kansas has a longer streak at 10 games.

A win Thursday would give Cal (21-8, 11-5) its longest conference win streak since taking 11 straight in '59-60, but the players say they remain focused on the small details, not the big picture.

"We're not looking at it like that," guard Jordan Mathews said. "It's just an opportunity to get better."

The only time the Bears have even won a share of the conference title since Pete Newell stepped down after 1960 came in 2009-10. There has been little success in Berkeley for much of the past half-century, but Martin has started to change that trend in his second season at Cal with help from a stellar freshman class led by Jaylen Brown and Ivan Rabb.

Cal has been dominant during this current run, making it back into the AP poll for the first time since November. The Bears have outscored the opposition by nearly 15 points per game and won six games by double figures. The defense has led the way, limiting the opposition to 39.4 percent shooting from the field and 28.2 from 3-point range.

The offense has been aided by improved outside shooting. The Bears hit 42 percent of their 3-point attempts in February, up from 35.4 coming into the month. Martin said the turnaround happened after he added a practice drill where the team's eight perimeter players are required to hit 200 3-pointers in a 12-minute span.

Jabari Bird has led the way by hitting 57.9 percent of his shots from long range (22 of 38), opening up the offense for Brown to slash and Rabb on the inside.

"That definitely helps a lot," Rabb said. "It takes some of the attention away from me. It just slows the defense down when they're trying to double or collapse on me. ... We have a lot of guys who can make shots on this team so it makes it a lot more difficult for other teams."

Brown has also gotten into the act with his outside shooting, making 10 of his last 22 3-point attempts after opening the season 18 for 68. That added dimension has made him a more complete player and Cal a much more difficult team to defend.

Martin credits Brown for understanding where he needed to improve his game and then making it happen.

"He's really slowing down," Martin said. "He's a really a good athlete. His shot has really improved in my opinion. Early in the year he was shooting 3-point shots. Now he's making them. It was more or less, `I'll just shoot this shot or this pull up because it looks like a good move.' But it wasn't always the best move."

Arizona (22-7, 10-6) began this season aiming for a third straight Pac-12 title, but those hopes were dashed with losses at Colorado and Utah last week.

"That's the reason we play. That's the reason we work hard," coach Sean Miller told the school's official website. "Those nine road games and nine home games (in a conference season) - it's one heck of an accomplishment in college sports, in a BCS conference, to win a regular season championship. Even with a split, our hope would have still been alive."

Those consecutive defeats dropped the Wildcats into fourth place in the conference and has them in danger of losing three straight for the first time since Feb. 13-25, 2010.

Getting back to Tucson should provide a lift for Arizona, which has won 15 of 16 there this season and 53 of 54 dating to 2012-13.

Freshman Allonzo Trier was again a bright spot in the Wildcats' 70-64 loss to Utah on Saturday, scoring a game-high 23 points.

Trier has averaged 18.0 points in his last five games, and will face Cal for the first time after missing a 74-73 loss in Berkeley on Jan. 23 because of a broken hand.

The Bears ended a four-game series losing streak in that game as Mathews scored a season-high 28 points and matched a career best with six 3-pointers.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Huskies (20-9) at Mustangs (24-4)
Date: March 03, 2016 9:00 PM EDT

SMU's seniors would be playing their final game at Moody Coliseum on Thursday night even if the NCAA didn't levy probation that will keep them from participating in the American Athletic Conference and NCAA tournaments.

Coach Larry Brown said Senior Night "is never fun," but it might be even more emotional considering the 24th-ranked Mustangs have only one more game remaining after facing Connecticut.

The postseason ban stemming from an NCAA probe that revealed academic fraud significantly shortens the season for SMU (24-4, 12-4), which won its first 18 - including the first nine while Brown was suspended for lack of program control - and undoubtedly would make its second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.

The Mustangs' lone chance for any sort of championship is winning the regular-season AAC crown. They're tied atop the conference with Temple after Sunday's 74-53 win over Tulane gave them a fourth victory in five games.

Leading scorer Nic Moore finished with five points and five turnovers while going 1 of 9 from the field, but Ben Moore had 16 points and 12 rebounds and Sterling Brown scored 15.

'I think it's affected us for the last month,' Brown said of the NCAA ruling. 'I don't think about that other stuff - stupid people making a stupid decision, in my mind. The reality is what these kids have accomplished. They did it with obstacles.'

SMU wraps up its season Sunday at Cincinnati.

'We think about it, but we just try and look at the next game,' freshman Jarrey Foster said.

Seniors Nic Moore, Jordan Tolbert and Markus Kennedy will get one last chance for a victory at Moody, where SMU has gone 15-1. It has won three straight overall since losing 68-62 at Connecticut on Feb. 18.

Nic Moore had 14 points and Ben Moore added 13 and 12 boards, but Amida Brimah finished with 16 points and five blocks for the Huskies (20-9, 10-6), who are looking for another quality victory to add to their NCAA Tournament resume.

Some prognosticators have the Huskies as one of the last teams in even with them having dropped two of three. They crumbled down the stretch Sunday in a 75-68 home loss to Houston despite Daniel Hamilton's 20 points.

The Cougars' point total was the highest UConn had allowed in 14 games, and their 51.9 percent shooting marked the best performance for an opponent all season.

'It just comes down to toughness and I'm going to stop my man,' coach Kevin Ollie said. 'The lack of effort that we showed out here is very disappointing.'

UConn beat then-No. 21 SMU but lost its other two against ranked opponents. It concludes the regular season against Central Florida on Sunday at home, and a second victory over the Mustangs plus a strong showing in the AAC tournament should be enough to lock in an NCAA Tournament berth.

The Huskies missed it last season after winning the national title the previous year.

"It's really frustrating, but we put ourselves in this situation," Hamilton said. "Now we just got to get ourselves out, starting on Thursday."

Hamilton finished with 14 points, six rebounds and four assists in the first meeting with SMU, which has won both home matchups since the creation of the AAC in 2013-14.

[StarDust Bum]

Thursday's Tip Sheet
March 2, 2016


**California at Arizona**

-- The Westgate SuperBook in Las Vegas opened Arizona (22-7 straight up, 15-14 against the spread) as a 5.5-point favorite. However, the betting shop adjusted the Wildcats to six-point ‘chalk’ 26 minutes later.

-- Sean Miller’s team has won 15 of 16 home games while compiling a 9-7 spread record. The Wildcats have been single-digit home favorites just two times, going 0-2 ATS with one outright loss to Oregon.

-- Arizona has lost back-to-back games both SU and ATS. Even worse, the Wildcats are mired in a 1-4 ATS slump that’s chafed the pockets of their backers. They lost 75-72 at Colorado last Thursday before dropping a 70-64 decision Saturday at Utah as 3.5-point underdogs. Allonzo Trier scored 23 points in the losing effort, while Ryan Anderson was the only other player in double figures with 11 points and eight rebounds.

-- Anderson, the senior transfer from Boston College, is averaging team-bests in scoring (15.8 points per game), rebounding (10.1 RPG) and field-goal percentage (57.1%). Anderson is joined in the paint by senior seven-footer Kaleb Tarczewski, who averages 9.4 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocked shots per game.

-- Arizona is No. 30 in the RPI Rankings due to a lack of Top-25 wins (as in none). The Wildcats are 2-6 versus the Top 50 and 12-7 against the Top 100.

-- California (21-8 SU, 17-12 ATS) is in sole possession of third place in the Pac-12, one game back of the league-leading Ducks of Oregon. The Bears are 11-5 in conference action, while Arizona is 10-6.

-- California has won seven in a row both SU and ATS to move up to No. 16 in my latest Power Rankings. The Bears smashed slumping Southern Cal 87-65 Sunday night as eight-point home favorites. They led by 14 at intermission and by as many as 28 in a wire-to-wire blowout. Ivan Rabb was the catalyst with 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Jaylen Brown finished with 18 points, eight boards and two blocked shots. Jordan Mathews added 17 points, while Tyrone Wallace contributed 12 points, six assists and five rebounds.

-- Cuonzo Martin’s squad has lost six of nine road assignments while going 4-5 ATS. The Bears haven’t won outright in any of their four games as road underdogs, but they have managed a 2-2 ATS ledger.

-- Cal is No. 16 in the RPI Rankings, going 7-6 against the Top 50 and 13-7 versus the Top 100. The Bears have just one bad loss, a neutral-court defeat vs. Richmond (RPI: 127). If there’s a blemish to their resume, it’s that they only have one Top-100 win on the road over Washington.

-- After missing five games with a hand injury, Wallace returned to form right away. He’s scored in double figures in all six games. In last week’s 75-63 home win over UCLA, the senior guard had 14 points, 10 rebounds, one steal and six assists compared to just one turnover. For the season, Wallace averages 15.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.0 steals per game.

-- Brown, the true freshman power forward who was a 5-star recruit landed by Martin, is averaging 15.8 points and 5.7 rebounds per contest.

-- The ‘under’ is 15-14 overall for Cal, 5-4 in its road outings. The Bears have seen the ‘under’ go 3-1 in their last four games.

-- The ‘over’ is 19-10 overall for Arizona, hitting at an incredible 13-3 clip in its home games.

-- ESPN will have the broadcast at 9:00 p.m. Eastern.

**Connecticut at Southern Methodist**

-- The Westgate opened SMU (24-4 SU, 11-13 ATS) as a 5.5-point favorite. Larry Brown’s team is trying to win all it has out there, which would be an AAC regular-season title. The Mustangs are currently in a first-place tie with Temple (12-4), while Cincinnati is one game behind with an 11-5 league mark.

-- SMU has won 15 of its 16 home games, but it has limped to a 4-8 ATS record. The Mustangs have been single-digit home ‘chalk’ only four times, going 3-1 SU and 2-2 ATS.

-- Brown’s bunch has won three straight, covering the number in the last two, including Sunday’s 74-53 shellacking of Tulane as a 19.5-point home favorite. The Green Wave actually held a one-point advantage at intermission, only to get outscored 46-24 in the final 20 minutes. Ben Moore led the Mustangs with 16 points, 12 rebounds, three steals, two assists and two blocked shots. Sterling Brown added 15 points, five boards, four assists, two steals and one rejection.

-- SMU is No. 12 in the RPI with a 2-1 record against the Top 50 and an 8-4 mark against the Top 100. The Mustangs have wins at Tulsa, at Stanford and vs. Colorado on a neutral floor. They’ve also collected home scalps over Yale, Michigan, Cincy, Houston and Gonzaga.

-- SMU is led by senior point guard Nic Moore, who averages 16.1 points PPG and shoots treys at a 42.6 percent clip. Moore has a 143/61 assists-to-turnovers ratio. Ben Moore averages 12.0 points and 7.4 rebounds per game and has a team-high 37 blocked shots.

-- UConn (20-9 SU, 12-12-1 ATS) has won six of its nine road games while going 5-4 ATS. The Huskies have been road underdogs twice, going 1-1 both SU and ATS with a loss at Cincy and a win at Texas.

-- UConn has lost two of its last three games, including Sunday’s 75-68 home loss to Houston as a 10-point home favorite. Hamilton had 20 points and seven boards in the losing effort. Amida Brimah was the only other Husky in double figures with 10 points, seven rebounds and two blocked shots.

-- UConn has a balanced scoring attack led by Shonn Miller’s 13.0 PPG average. Rodney Purvis, the transfer from N.C. St., scores at a 12.9 PPG clip and makes triples at a 38.9 percent rate. Seton Hall transfer Sterling Gibbs (11.8) is making 38.7 percent from downtown and 85.0 percent at the charity stripe. Daniel Hamilton (11.6 PPG) averages team-highs in assists (5.0 APG), rebounding (8.9 RPG) and steals (1.1 SPG).

-- These AAC rivals met in Storrs on Feb. 18 and UConn captured a 68-62 win as a three-point home ‘chalk.’ Brimah paced the winners with 16 points, eight rebounds and five blocked shots. Hamilton added 14 points, six boards and four assists. Nic Moore had 14 points and handed out six helpers in defeat.

-- The ‘under’ has cashed in five consecutive games for the Mustangs, who have seen the ‘under’ go 13-11 overall and 7-5 in their home games.

-- The ‘under’ is 14-10-1 overall for the Huskies, 7-2 in their road outings.

-- Tip-off is scheduled for 9:00 p.m. Eastern on ESPN2.

[StarDust Bum]

SMU battles UConn
March 3, 2016


CONNECTICUT HUSKIES (20-9) at SMU MUSTANGS (24-4)

Moody Coliseum – Dallas, TX
Tip-off: Thursday, 9:00 p.m. ET
Sportsbook.ag Line: SMU -5.5, Total: 132

No. 24 SMU looks for a big win to keep pace atop the AAC standings in its last home game of the season. It takes on Connecticut, the last conference foe to deal it a loss.

Coach Larry Brown’s Mustangs will be playing with lots of emotion on senior night at Moody Coliseum, looking to close out a memorable regular season that will have no postseason rewards. Just as SMU did in 2015, they will be looking to bounce back from a defeat to Connecticut and even the score on the season.

Just two weeks ago, Connecticut handled SMU in Hartford, 68-62 (UConn -3), with C Amida Brimah (7.1 PPG, 2.5 BPG) returning to form for his best game of the season (16 points, 8 rebounds, 5 blocks). Since then, however, Connecticut has gone 1-2 (1-2 ATS), sandwiching a win over USF between losses at Cincinnati and, most recently, at home against Houston on Sunday (75-68, UConn -9.5). That Sunday defeat could be a crushing blow to Connecticut’s NCAA Tournament resume.

The Huskies (10-6, 6-10 ATS in AAC play) desperately need to come up with a big performance on the road Thursday to feel more confident in an at-large selection. Connecticut has been impressive on the road this season at 6-3 (5-4 ATS). The Mustangs are winners of three straight (2-1 ATS) since the loss to Connecticut and sit atop the AAC standings at 12-4 (7-9 ATS in conference) along with Temple. SMU is a sparkling 15-1 at home this season (4-8 ATS). The Mustangs most recent win was on Sunday, a 74-53 (SMU -19.5) pasting of Tulane at home.

Historically, since Connecticut and SMU became conference rivals, the Mustangs are 4-2 SU (4-2 ATS) in this matchup, having been the only side to win a road game (February, 2014). The total has gone UNDER the last two times these teams have met. The home team in this matchup is 5-1 ATS overall.

Connecticut will need another performance from Brimah like they got in Hartford if they want to turn back a big and talented SMU team on Thursday night. The Huskies average 73.2 PPG versus D1 Opponents (161st NCAA) and therefore need to rely on their ninth ranked scoring defense (62.9 PPG) anchored by their big man. Connecticut holds teams to just 37.9% FG (3rd NCAA) and 41.5% two-point FG (5th NCAA), which comes in handy against the size of a team like the Mustangs. While it is promising that the Huskies scored 68 and won versus SMU, the trend in 2016 has been a lack of offense in losses (57.8 PPG in 6 losses this calendar year).

F Shonn Miller (13 PPG, 59% FG) has taken over the team lead in scoring with his consistently efficient play as an undersized power forward. Miller is fourth on the team in FGA yet still manages to give a double-figure scoring effort every night. However, the toll of playing heavy minutes against bigger bodies may seem to be wearing on the graduate transfer from Cornell, as he’s posted single-digit scoring outputs in two of his last three.

Freshman G Jalen Adams (7 PPG) is back in the good graces of coach Kevin Ollie, as he’s played 25+ minutes over the last three games and is averaging 13 PPG in that span. G Rodney Purvis (12.9 PPG, 39% 3PT) will need to find his shot again after going for just six points in the loss to Houston. Purvis was 8-17 from three in the two previous games for the Huskies. Conversely, F Daniel Hamilton (11.6 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 5 APG) had one of his best shooting nights of the season in the loss to Houston, going 8-14 FG (4-8 3PT) for 20 points.

While SMU might be known foremost for their stellar defense (63.9 PPG allowed versus D1 Opponents) and proficiency on the glass (+10.6 Reb Margin, 5th NCAA), what you might not realize is how lights-out they are from beyond the arc. SMU shoots it at 42.7% from long range and hasn’t had a sub-40% outing from three as a team in nine games. Granted, SMU doesn’t take a whole bunch of threes (15.6 3PA), but they’re very dangerous when teams are packing the paint on defense. The Mustangs share the ball well (17.7 APG, 5th NCAA) and get tons of second chances from their ability to attack the offensive glass when the opportunity arises (40.7% Off Reb pct, 2nd NCAA).

The Mustangs will be sending off three stalwart seniors in an emotional game: F Markus Kennedy (9.5 PPG, 6.4 APG), F Jordan Tolbert (11.6 PPG, 8.4 RPG) and their leader, G Nic Moore (16.1 PPG, 5.3 APG, 42.7% 3PT). It’s not shocking that all three of these players were transfers who’ve flourished under a legendary coach like Brown, and a regular season title in their last season is all they have to play for due to NCAA sanctions. SMU boasts two other double-digit scorers in their rotation in F Ben Moore (12 PPG, 7.4 RPG) and G Shake Milton (10.9 PPG, 43% 3PT). G Sterling Brown comes off the bench for an efficient 9.8 PPG (59.6% FG, 53.8 3PT).

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Missouri Valley Preview
March 2, 2016

The Missouri Valley Conference Tournament is this week Thursday, March 3 to Sunday, March 6 at the Scotttrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri. The ten-team league has had some exciting conference tournament moments and has been the mid-major conference to watch in the Big Dance with several notable wins in recent years. Here is a look at the field for 2016.

#1 Wichita State 23-7 (16-2 MVC): Wichita State is the clear top team in the Valley with just two conference losses to outpace Evansville and Illinois State with six losses each. Despite being the highest profile team in the conference in recent years, the 2014 conference tournament title is Gregg Marshall’s only postseason conference title since taking over the program in 2008 and the only tournament title for the Shockers since 1987. With injuries out of the gate, the Shockers had a rough start to the season, but this is likely still the only team outside of the nine prominent conferences that can feel good about getting an NCAA Tournament at-large berth if they are upset this week. Familiar seniors Fred VanVleet and Ron Baker lead the backcourt while a trio of freshmen plus Cleveland State transfer Anton Grady also contributes significantly. Despite facing some steep spreads this season, Wichita State wound up with a strong 18-10 ATS mark as the slow start helped the keep some of the numbers in check.

#2 Evansville 23-8 (12-6 MVC): A Purple Aces team loaded with experience has put together a fine season to wind up as the #2 seed in the tournament. Senior D.J. Balentine is the conference’s top scorer and senior center Egidijus Mockevicius is the fourth-best scorer in the conference while leading the Valley in rebounding and field goal percentage. Evansville was unable to beat Wichita State in two tries, but they were both close games and the Aces won’t face the Shockers unless it is in the championship game. With a soft non-conference resume, the automatic-bid is the only way that Evansville gets into the NCAA Tournament, but the core of this team has a CIT championship on its resume from last season after winning five consecutive games last March and April.

#3 Illinois State 18-13 (12-6 MVC): The overall record for the Redbirds doesn’t impress but unlike Evansville, Illinois State went through a gauntlet of tough games vs. major conference foes early in the season. While the Redbirds gave Maryland and Kentucky a scare, they also dropped games to South Dakota State, TCU, and UAB in non-conference action as there is not enough wins to give Illinois State at-large NCAA Tournament berth consideration. Illinois State picked up wins vs. all of the top teams in the conference this season including Wichita State, but the Redbirds were 8-1 at home in league games at home and just 4-5 on the road. Senior DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell leads Dan Muller’s team which upset Wichita State in the conference tournament last season only to fall to Northern Iowa in the final and ending up in the NIT. As the #3 seed, Illinois State wouldn’t have to face Wichita State until the final this season and they will draw slumping rival Indiana State in the Friday’s 3/6 matchup.

#4 Northern Iowa 19-12 (11-7 MVC): Northern Iowa lost nine of 13 games at one point from mid-December to late January, but the Panthers finished off the season with wins in nine of the final 10 games. The ceiling is high on Ben Jacobson’s in his 10th season in Cedar Falls as this squad has prominent wins over North Carolina, Iowa State, as well as a road win at Wichita State. In the last seven seasons, Northern Iowa has won the Missouri Valley Conference tournament three times, but they have also lost their first game in the other four years as it has been all-or-nothing for the Panthers in Arch Madness. Northern Iowa only has one senior contributor as the future looks bright for the program if they can keep Jacobson around and as the slowest paced team in the conference and a strong outside shooting team the Panthers are a dangerous team.

#5 Southern Illinois 22-9 (11-7 MVC): The Salukis were once 7-1 in conference play, but they dropped six of the final 10 games in Missouri Valley action with the wins all coming against the bottom of the conference. Only early January home wins over Northern Iowa and Illinois State by a combined total of five points stand out on the conference resume. Northern Iowa won the rematch by a more substantial margin and in two meetings with Wichita State, Southern Illinois lost by a combined total of 46 points. Drawing Northern Iowa in the 4/5 matchup Friday looks challenging although two years ago the Salukis upset the Panthers in the tournament.

#6 Indiana State 14-17 (8-10 MVC): The Sycamores lost six in a row in February before winning the finale last weekend as a team that looked dangerous in the middle of the season fell apart with ice cold shooting down the stretch. Indiana State didn’t just lose games, they were blown out against the top teams in the conference in recent weeks making wins over Illinois State, Northern Iowa, and Evansville in January look somewhat hard to believe. It looks like it will be a second straight season without a postseason spot for Indiana State as Greg Lansing’s strong first four years with the program have led to back-to-back frustrating campaigns. On Friday, Indiana State draws an Illinois State team they lost to by 28 two weeks ago.

#7 Missouri State 12-18 (8-10 MVC): In the 7/10 play-in game to the final 8-team bracket, Missouri State will be favored vs. a Drake team they beat twice in the regular season. Missouri State also had a few upset wins in the MVC season to finish the season on an 8-8 run after a 4-10 start to the season. The three biggest wins came by one-point at home vs. Northern Iowa, plus overtime home wins over Illinois State and Indiana State. This is a relatively young team that has been beset by injuries this season with three regulars likely out of action for the tournament as the odds of a Cinderella run look slim even with Camyn Boone and Chris Kendrix being two of the better shooters in the conference.

#8 Loyola-Chicago 14-16 (7-11 MVC): If there is a deep dark horse contender to make a run this week, it might be the Ramblers, who have won seven of the last 13 games while producing a sweep over Northern Iowa this season as well as four conference road wins in that run. This is a very good free throw shooting team and the defense actually has one of the top turnover creating rates in the nation. Eight of Loyola’s 11 losses in conference play came by 10 or fewer points, including five losses that came either in overtime or by two or fewer points as the Ramblers might be worth a look from an ATS perspective as a heavy underdog in the early game Friday vs. Wichita State should they get by the 8/9 matchup with Bradley on Thursday.

#9 Bradley 5-26 (3-15 MVC): The bottom of the Missouri Valley this season was pretty bad with Bradley winning only three league games and only four division I games all season long. The offensive numbers for an incredibly young Braves team are among the worst nationally and the roster includes 10 freshmen and only one upperclassmen as Brian Wardle inherited a stiff challenge in taking over the program after a successful five seasons at Green Bay. On average, Bradley has been outscored by over 14 points per game this season while averaging less than 56 points per game. Bradley was nearly a .500 ATS team this season as the spreads are often inflated against the Braves.

#10 Drake 7-23 (2-16 MVC): As bad as Bradley was this season, Drake finished behind the Braves with just two conference wins, one of which came in the last game of the season with an overtime win hosting Loyola Chicago last weekend. There were some competitive performances along the way for the Bulldogs who are actually one of the better 3-point and free throw shooting teams in the conference, but Drake was a league-worst 9-18 ATS on the season and did not win a true road game all year. Drake lost by nine in both meetings with first round opponent Missouri State this season, but the spread won’t be that high Thursday with the injuries for the Bears making a minor upset plausible for the Bulldogs.

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Mid-Major Tournament Previews
February 29, 2016

After providing a look-ahead to the postseason extravaganzas conducted by the major conferences last week, we provide a quick preview for the conference tournaments of the lower-echelon Division I leagues in this edition.

The rather recent introduction of the CollegeInsider.com Tourney, or CIT, and the College Basketball Invitational, or CBI, has provided more postseason slots and thus more opportunities for entries from the low-major leagues to have teams participate in tourneys other than the NCAA and NIT.

There’s also another new entry to the postseason called the “Vegas 16" that will be structured as was the old NIT in which all of the games were played at Madison Square Garden in new York City; for the Vegas 16, all games will be played at the Cox Pavilion on the campus of UNLV, and will take place from March 26-30.

Now, with three extra postseason events added over the past decade, several of these lower-echelon loops are now sending multiple entries to the postseason, so it behooves handicappers to begin paying attention to these sides before they enter either the Big Dance, NIT, CBI, CIT...or Vegas 16. Many Las Vegas sports books, which routinely post numbers on several “added” conferences (Big Sky, Metro-Atlantic, Ohio Valley, Summit, SoCon), will be including prices on almost all of these minor conference tournaments as well. Note that many of the upcoming conference tournaments will also be televised (the introduction of ESPN3, which streams on computers, has added countless more college hoops viewing opportunities and will be providing added coverage for many of the lower-rung D-I conference tourneys).

We've listed below, by conference alphabetical order, upcoming tournament specifics for those lower-profile Division I leagues. Also included are any teams that enjoy home-court tournament edges; the top contenders in each loop, noted by italics, with any clear-cut favorite accompanied by an *; and last season's conference results in the NCAA, NIT, CBI, and CIT.

Before Selection Sunday, we’ll also review how these leagues have fared in recent Big Dance action.

March Madness...it’s here!

AMERICA EAST

Tournament: March 2, 7, and 12 at home of highest seed for each matchup. Top eight team qualify. Stony Brook enters as the top seed. UMass-Lowell is in its third of a four-year transition period from Div. II and is ineligible for the conference tournament.

Top contenders: Stony Brook, Albany, New Hampshire, Vermont.

Notes: The home team of Strat-o-Matic games on Long Island, Stony Brook, enters the conference tournament with the homecourt edge. With all starters back from last year’s team that made it to the CBI, the Seawolves have been no surprise, and continue to feature the AE’s top post threat, four-year starter PF Jameel Warney (18,7 ppg & 10.2 rpg), largely responsible for the Brook’s +7.7 rebound margin, ranked 19th nationally. Juco PG Ahmad Walker (10.2 ppg) has added more scoring from the top. But losses in two of the last three games have some folks in Strat-o land worried, especially since top contender Albany inflicted a recent 82-70 defeat. The Great Danes are looking for their fourth straight conference tournament crown, and as a year ago feature a 4-G lineup led by srs. Peter Hooley & Evan Singletary (combined 26 ppg). Best chances to knock off the top two belong to New Hampshire, which beat Albany and played Stony Brook within 1 point on the road and features emerging 6-6 soph F Tanner Leissner (scored 25 in recent 59-58 loss to the Seawolves), and Bernie Sanders’ favorite team, Vermont, who hit the tournament hot with five straight wins including a season-ending upset at Stony Brook. Bombardier Catamount frosh G Ernie Duncan hits 43% from beyond the arc and hit all four of his triples in last Saturday’s win at Stony Brook.

Last year: NCAA-Albany lost vs. Oklahoma, 69-60. CBI-Vermont won at Hofstra, 85-81; won vs. Radford, 78-71; lost at UL-Monroe, 71-66; Stony Brook lost at Mercer, 72-70. CIT-New Hampshire lost at NJIT, 84-77.

ATLANTIC SUN

Tournament: March 1, 3, and 6 at home of highest seed for each matchup. North Florida is the top seed.

Top contenders: North Florida, Florida Gulf Coast, NJIT, Jacksonville.

Notes: After qualifying for its first-ever Big Dance a year ago, North Florida is favored to make it back-to-back NCAA visits. The bombs-away Ospreys lead the nation in three-pointers (386!) and three-point attempts (928!) while hitting 41.6% from downtown, which ranks sixth nationally. UNF also ranks fourth in scoring at 85.5 ppg. An upperclassmen-heavy lineup returned four starters from last year’s 23-win team and continues to be led by jr. G Dallas Moore (19.7 ppg) & 6-8 matchup nightmare sr. swingman Beau Beech (15.6 ppg), though the hottest scorer lately has been 6-7 sr. F Demarcus Daniels, who scored 25 (vs. NJIT) and 23 (vs. USC-Upstate) in recent games. Second-seed Florida Gulf Coast has only one remaining player (backup F Filip Cvjeticanin) from former HC Andy Enfield’s “Dunk City” edition that crashed the Sweet 16 three yaars ago, and the Eagles did beat North Florida on Feb. 6. More inside-oriented than recent years with 6-8 jr. Marc-Eddy Noriela (17.1 ppg), who does all of his offensive work on the blocks, and the first option on attack. A-Sun newcomer NJIT, which took Northern Kentucky’s place in the league after campaigning as the last D-I Independent, has at times flashed the form that lifted last year’s edition to the CIT semifinals. A recent 5-game win streak by the Highlanders featured a win over FGCU, and NJIT continues to feature electric G Damon Lynn (18.1 ppg), but the Highlanders have lacked the dimensions provided a year ago by sr. G Winfield Willis, who hit a team-best 44% beyond the arc last season but has been out with injury since early December. Looking for a longshot? Try Atlanta suburb-based Kennesaw State, with a familiar coach (Al Skinner, part of the ABA glory-era New York Nets and later a longtime HC at Boston College) and wins in four of its last five, including an upset of North Florida. The Owls have perhaps the A-Sun’s best 1-2 combo in Gs Yonel Brown and former Quinnipiac transfer Kendrick Ray, both scoring 19 ppg, though neither tops 6-feet-tall and can be liabilities on defense vs. bigger backcourt.

Last year: NCAA-North Florida lost play-in game vs. Robert Morris, 81-77. CIT-USC-Upstate won vs. James Madison, 73-72; lost vs. UT-Martin 60-49; Florida Gulf Coast lost vs. Texas A&JM-Corpus Christi, 75-69.

BIG SKY

Tournament: March 8-12 at Reno Events Center, Reno, NV (home of NBA-DL Bighorns).

Top contenders: Weber State, Montana, Idaho Eastern Washington, North Dakota, Idaho State.

Notes: For the first time since an ill-advised one-time run in 2008 at Portland’s Rose Garden (Moda Center), the Sky’s tournament moves off-campus to a neutral venue in Reno at the Events Center, the home of the NBA-DL Reno Bighorns and not the same venue as the Lawlor Center, home of the Nevada Wolf Pack. Also, all teams qualify after participation was limited to the top eight teams in recent years. Weber State likely enters as the top seed after last Saturday’s gutty win in Ogden vs. Montana, achieved minus frontline workhorse and the nation’s third-leading rebounder (13 pg), rugged PF Joel Bolomboy, dealing with a deep knee bruise. The Wildcats are hoping Bolomboy can return for Reno, though they did beat the Grizzlies in last weekend’s crucial win when juco G Dusty Baker (not the manager of the Washington Nationals) earned hero status when scoring 20 off of the bench. (File away for reference the apparent bad blood between Montana and Weber State, who engaged in a post-game shoving match in the handshake line.) Still healthy for the Wildcats is star jr. G Jeremy Senglin (18 ppg), who also hits 46% of his triples, and Weber also connects on 48.4% from the floor, which ranks 18th nationally. The Grizzlies from Missoula will still probably like their chances if they get a rematch in Reno with former Washington transfer 6-8 Martin Breunig (18.8 ppg and 8.8 rpg) rivaling Bolomboy for the league’s best big man honors. Montana has also gotten a lot of mileage from a pair of newcomer Gs, juco PG Walter Wright (12.4 ppg) and frosh Michael Oguine (11.4 ppg). Last year’s Sky champ, Eastern Washington, has burned hot on occasion when much-traveled G Austin McBroom (21.5 ppg; formerly Central Michigan and Saint Louis) has been unleashed, as he has three 35+-point games since Feb. 11. The Eagles rank sixth nationally in field-goal percentage (49.8%), with holdover PF Venky Jois (16.9 ppg) second nationally at 69.7%. Also keep an eye on Idaho, which recently got its backcourt pair of Victor Sanders and Perrion Callendret (combined 30 ppg) back together after both battled recent injuries. The Vandals upended EWU with both Sanders and Callandret on floor together last weekend. Another longshot worth a look could be Idaho State, which has won 9 of 12 and features fireball juco G Ethan Telfair (19.8 pgp), younger brother of ex-NBA G Sebastian Telfair and a cousin of Stephon Marbury.

Last year: NCAA-Eastern Washington lost vs. Georgetown, 84-74. CIT-Northern Arizona won at Grand Canyon, 75-70; won at Sacramento State, 78-73; won in OT vs. Kent State, 74-73; won vs. NJIT, 68-61; lost at Evansville in title game,71-65; Sacramento State won at Portland, 73-66; lost vs. Northern Arizona, 78-73.

BIG SOUTH

Tournament: March 3-6 at HTC Center, Conway, SC (home court of Coastal Carolina Chanticleers). The top five finishers receive byes into the quarterfinals; seeds 6 thru 11 compete in a play-in round.

Top contenders: Winthrop, High Point, Coastal Carolina, UNC-Asheville, Gardner-Webb, Liberty.

Notes: An absolutely wide-open event with the top six teams separated by just three games in the league standings, which is similar to the logjam the past two seasons. On both of those occasions, vet HC Cliff Ellis’ Chants of Coastal Carolina (bound for the Sun Belt next season) took advantage of the Myrtle Beach locale at their home HTC Center to win this event before giving powerhouses Virginia and Wisconsin some anxious moments in the Big Dance sub-regionals. Though returning four starters from last season, Ellis’s team did not find its stride until mid-January, and hits the tournament as the loop’s hottest team with wins in 10 of its last 12. A newcomer to the Chanticleer mix, South Carolina transfer G Jaylen Shaw, has picked up his pace late in the season and has three straight double-digit scoring games, and is one of four double-digit scorers in Ellis’ well-balanced lineup. Winthrop, which lost in the finale vs. Coastal a year ago, enters as the top seed and features a dynamite backcourt pair of mini 5-7 (or is he really 5-5?) G Keon Johnson (19.8 ppg) and well-traveled Bradley and Wisconsin-Parkside transfer Jimmy Gavin (18 ppg). The Eagles’ 48.5% FG shooting ranks 17th nationally. High Point, coached by former Jim Larranaga aide Scott Cherry, features the Big South’s best NBA prospect in explosive 6-8 sr. F John Brown (19.6 ppg), whose windmill dunks have been featured more than once on ESPN Sports Center. The Panthers also shoot 39% from tripleville (ranks 21st nationally). UNC-Asheville impressed early in the season when it advanced to the finals of the Great Alaska Shootout and would also beat Georgetown, as would another Big South rep, Radford. And the Hoyas thought the Big East was tough!

Last year: NCAA-Coastal Carolina lost vs. Wisconsin, 86-72. NIT-Charleston Southern lost vs. Old Dominion, 65-56. CBI-Radford won at Delaware State, 78-57; lost at Vermont 78-71; Gardner-Webb lost at Colorado, 87-78. CIT-High Point won vs. Maryland-Eastern Shore, 70-64; lost at Eastern Kentucky, 66-65.

METRO ATLANTIC

Tournament: March 3-7 at Trans Union Center, Albany, NY. The top five seeds gets byes into the quarerfinals; seeds 6 thru 11 compete in a play-in round.

Top contenders: Monmouth, Iona, Siena, Fairfield, St. Peter’s.

Notes: Much discussion among “Bracketologists” (us included) if Monmouth has an NCAA at-large case, if needed, which could make the Metro-Atlantic a two-bid league for the first time since 1995, when St. Peter’s and Manhattan would qualify for the Big Dance. Prior to winning the regular-season crown, the Hawks beat UCLA, Notre Dame, Southern Cal, and Georgetown in pre-league play, though the wins over the Bruins and Hoyas would eventually lose some of their luster. Coach King Rice’s fast and athletic roster, which finished the regular season with a 25-6 record, can score points in bunches as it ranks 13th nationally in steals, with go-go 5-8 jr. G Justin Robinson (20 ppg) among the nation’s leaders at 62 steals. Though there is much regional sentiment for HC Tim Cluess’ frequent Big Dance qualifier Iona, which hits the tournament hot after winning its last five and nine of its last ten, including a comfy 83-67 win at Monmouth on Feb. 19. The uptempo Gaels score 80 ppg and are again led by sr. G A.J. English (22.2 ppg). Regional observers give only other entry, Dancin’ Jimmy Patsos’ Siena, a legit shot, as the Saints won 20 games and recently welcomed back second-leading scorer G Marquis Wright (15.4 ppg) after being out with injury since Christmas. Patsos has the best-balanced team in the MAAC, with five DD scorers now available with Wright’s return.

Last year: NCAA-Manhattan lost play-in game vs. Hampton, 74-64. NIT-Iona lost vs. Rhode Island, 88-75. CBI-Rider lost at Loyola-Chicago, 62-59. CIT-Canisius won vs. Dartmouth, 87-72; won at Bowling Green, 82-59; lost at NJIT, 78-73.

MEAC

Tournament: March 7-12 at The Scope, Norfolk, VA (not the home court of Norfolk State, which plays its games at Echols Hall); First round pits seeds 5 vs. 12, 6 vs. 11, 7 vs. 10, and 8 vs. 9; winners advance to quarterfinals, and so forth. For the second straight year, Florida A&M is ineligible due to APR penalties.

Top contenders: Hampton, South Carolina State, Norfolk State, Bethune-Cookman.

Notes: Hampton likely enters the tournament as the top-seeded team as it takes a 1 1/2-game lead in the league race to the final weekend, and can sew up the top seed with wins vs. either Delaware State or Norfolk State later this week. The nearby Norfolk venue helped propel the Pirates to the Dance last season, where EC Edward Joyner, Jr.’s team beat Manhattan in the play-in game. Hampton, which returned four starters, was the only MEAC rep not under .500 in non-league play, with the best win against Sun Belt UL-Monroe. Joyner’s team causes matchup problems with its big transfer Gs, ex-Miami-Ohio Reginald Johnson, jr. (18.6 ppg) and ex-Tennessee Quinton Chievous (16.8 ppg), who spearheaded last year’s run in Norfolk. The only other MEAC entry with a winning SU record (16-13) is South Carolina State, which beat Hampton on Jan. 25 and features one of the MEAC’s top newcomers in juco G Eric Eaves (16.8 ppg). The MEAC tournament has featured several upsets in recent years, however, and if there is a team to watch, regional observers suggest keeping an eye on Savannah State, which has won six straight, including a pair of successes vs. South Carolina State. And if looking for a one-man show, check out Washington, D.C.-based Howard, where the Bison showcase nation’s leading scorer jr. G James Daniel (27.7 ppg). By the way, old ABA fans might remember the Norfolk Scope venue as one of the regional homes of the Virginia Squires in the days of Julius Erving in the early ‘70s.

Last year: NCAA-Hampton won play-in game vs. Manhattan, 74-64; lost vs. Kentucky, 79-56; NIT-NC Central lost vs. Miami-Florida, 75-71; CIT-Norfolk State lost at Eastern Kentucky, 81-75.

NORTHEAST

Tournament: March 2, 5 and 8 at home of highest seed for each matchup. Wagner is the top seed.

Top contenders: Wagner, Fairleigh-Dickinson, St. Francis (NY), Sacred Heart, Mount Saint Mary‘s.

Notes: Bob Beckel’s alma mater Wagner, the pride of Staten Island, was in control of the Northeast race for most of the campaign and closed the regular season in a rush, winning its last five to comfortably claim homecourt edge in the tourney. Though the Seahawks were something of a surprise after limping in with a 10-20 SU mark a year ago for HC Bashir Mason. Spark for the turnaround was provided by 6-5 juco wing Michael Carey (12 ppg), a native of the Bahamas who emerged as Wagner’s second-leading scorer. Though it’s defense that propels the Seahawks, who have allowed 57 points or fewer in five of their last seven games. After Wagner and its 20-9 SU, mark, the only other Northeast teams above .500 are 15-14 Fairleigh Dickinson, which rates as quite an accomplishment for the Knights, picked last in the league by many preseason prognosticators, and 15-14 Long Island, the last team to beat Wagner (on Feb. 11). Though the Clair Bees, er Blackbirds, were wildly erratic, and connected on only 30% of their triples. The home team of the Pittsburgh Airport, frequent NCAA qualifier Robert Morris, endured a disappointing season and will be a deep longshot in this NE Tourney.

Last year: NCAA-Robert Morris won play-in game vs. North Florida, 81-77; lost vs. Duke, 85-56. NIT-St. Francis (NY) lost vs. Richmond, 84-74.

OHIO VALLEY

Tournament: March 2-5 at Municipal Auditorium, Nashville, TN (not the home court of Nashville-based Tennessee State, which plays its games at the Gentry Complex, or Nashville-based Belmont, which plays its games at the Mike Curb Events Center).

Top contenders: Belmont, Tennessee Tech, Morehead State, Tennessee State, UT-Martin, Murray State.

Notes: Wide-open event conducted at The Jetson’s-looking Nashville Municipal Auditorium, which looks as if it could have been moved from the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair. Though vet HC Rick Byrd’s defending champ Belmont might rate a slight favorite, and features holdovers F Evan Bradds (17.7 ppg) & G Craig Bradshaw (16.6 ppg), the hometown venue might not prove as much of an edge this season as another Music City entry, Tennessee State, has been the surprise package of the league and bounced the Bruins 87-72 in the regular-season finale on Sunday. The Tigers are transfer-heavy, with ex-Montana G Keron Deshields (16 ppg), ex-Niagara G Tahjere McCall (14.5 ppg), and ex-St. Francis (NY) and juco PF Wayne Martin (10.9 ppg) quickly coagulating for second-year HC Dana Ford, whose team was a lowly 5-26 SU last season. There is support among regional scouts for all among UT-Martin, Murray State, and Tennessee Tech, though the team most are really watching is surging Morehead State, which has won six in a row, including conquers of Belmont, Tennessee Tech, and Tennessee State. Eagles HC Sean Woods (a former Kentucky star in playing days) is hopeful of getting high scorer jr. G Corban Collins (11.8 ppg) back in time from injury for the conference tourney, but Morehead has nonetheless won all four of its games minus Collins in the past two weeks.

Last year: NCAA-Belmont lost vs. Virginia, 79-67. NIT-Murray State won at UTEP, 81-66; won vs. Tulsa, 83-62; lost vs. Old Dominion, 72-69. CIT-UT-Martin won at Northwestern State, 104-79; won at USC-Upstate, 60-49; won at Eastern Kentucky, 70-69; lost at Evansville, 79-66; Eastern Kentucky won vs. Norfolk State, 81-75; won vs. High Point, 66-65; lost vs. UT-Martin, 70-69; Eastern Illinois won at Oakland, 97-91; lost vs. Evansville, 83-68. won vs. Towson, 85-73; won vs. Pacific, 98-75; won vs. Yale, 65-57.

PATRIOT

Tournament: March 1, 3, 6, and 9, all at home of higher seed for each matchup. Bucknell is the top seed. Top four seeds receive byes in first round.

Top contenders: Bucknell, Lehigh, Boston University.

Notes: CBS head honcho Les Moonves’ alma mater Bucknell survived the departure of successful 7-year HC Dave Paulsen to win the regular-season crown and all-important home edge throughout the Patriot Tourney. All of this after a slow start in non-league play even with the presence of four starters from last year’s 19-win team. But the Bison would eventually find their rhythm for new HC Nathan Davis, a former Bucknell aide for some of Pat Flannery’s memorable teams a decade ago before moving to the HC spot at Randolph-Macon, with 6-5 sr. G Chris Hass (17.3 ppg) leading the charge. Lehigh, however, believes it has a shot after beating Bucknell in the most-recent meeting on Feb. 10, and will not be scared after taking its lumps vs, the likes of Syracuse, Virginia, and Purdue in pre-league play. The Mountain Hawks (what was wrong with the old Engineers nickname?) enter the tournament hot, with nine straight wins, and feature the best post threat in the league with 6-10 jr. Tim Kempton (17.5 ppg). Third-seed Boston U, led by 6-5 jr. G Eric Fanning (15.2 ppg), is the last team to beat Lehigh (on Jan. 31). There is also some support for the best Army and Navy teams in recent years.

Last year: NCAA-Lafayette lost vs. Villanova, 93-52. NIT-Bucknell lost vs. Temple, 73-67.

SOUTHERN

Tournament: March 3-7 at U.S. Cellular Center, Asheville, NC. Top six seeds receive bye in first round.

Top contenders: Chattanooga, East Tennessee State, Furman, Western Carolina, Wofford.

Notes: There are some college hoop insiders who believe that Chattanooga, at 25-5 SU and with non-league wins over Georgia, Illinois, and Dayton, might have a Big Dance at-large case should it lose in Asheville. The Mocs surged despite the near season-long absence of returning top scorer G Casey Jones, who hasn’t played since December 8 due to an ankle injury, as well as the departure after last season of HC Will Wade, who moved to VCU. New HC Matt McCall, a Billy Donovan disciple, would nonetheless hit the ground running and keep running, with a balanced attack featuring seven scoring between 7-12 ppg. UTC also has the SoCon’s best rim protector in 6-10 C Justin Tuoyo, whose 2.3 blocks pg ranks among the nation’s leaders. Stiff competition likely comes from East Tennessee State, which enters Asheville having won five straight and eight of nine, though it did lose both games this season vs. the Mocs. First-year HC Steve (not that Steve Forbes) Forbes, hired off of Gregg Marshall’s Wichita State staff, went heavy with jucos and senior transfers in his debut season, and got plenty of mileage from ex-Cincinnati G Ge’Lawn Guyn (18.1 ppg), juco wing T.J. Cromer (15.1 ppg), and ex-Missouri and Baylor G Deuce Bello (10 ppg). Most SoCon scouts are going to be surprised if the finale doesn’t feature the Mocs and Bucs. If there is a longshot to watch, keep an eye on Western Carolina, as the Catamounts have won four straight and seven of eight (including a win over UTC) with a senior-heavy lineup featuring G Mike Brown (16.5 ppg).

Last year: NCAA-Wofford lost vs. Arkansas, 56-53. CBI-Mercer won vs. Stony Brook, 72-70; lost vs. UL-Monroe, 71-69.

SOUTHLAND

Tournament: March 9-13 at Merrell Center, Katy, TX. Top eight teams qualify. Incarnate Word and Abilene Christian are still in their transitional period from D-II to D-I and are ineligible for the conference tournament, though can participate in the NIT, CBI, or CIT., Central Arkansas is ineligible due to APR penalties.

Top contenders: Stephen F. Austin*, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Sam Houston State, Houston Baptist.

Notes: SFA seeks a third straight Big Dance trip under HC Brad Underwood, a former Frank Martin aide who by now ought to be on a short list for any number of higher-profile openings. The Lumberjacks have yet to lose in Southland play this season with a familiar lineup still featuring classy 6-4 sr. wing Thomas Walkup (17 ppg), one of four starters back from last year’s 29-5 powerhouse. Among many positives, SFA also ranks among the nation’s steal leaders with 243. If there is to be a challenge to the ’Jacks, it likely comes from Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, under the direction of former Rice HC Willis Wilson. The Islanders returned four starters from the team that won a game in the CIT last March and own one of the top post threats in the Southland with beastly 6-8, 250-lb. Rashawn Thomas (17.4 ppg & 8.4 rpg). With potential challenger Incarnate Word still in its transition phase from D-II and ineligible, the only other likely contender might be Sam Houston State, which regressed in a rebuild after losing four starters from last year’s 26-9 team but enters the final weekend of the regular season on a slight upswing, winning three of its last four.

Last year: NCAA-Stephen F. Austin lost vs. Utah, 57-50. CIT-Sam Houston State beat UNC-Wilmington, 87-71; lost vs. UL-Lafayette, 71-70; Texas A&M-Corpus Christi won at Florida Gulf Coast, 75-69; lost vs. Kent State, 75-69; Northwestern State lost vs. UT-Martin, 104-79; Incarnate Word lost vs. UL-Lafayette, 83-68.

SWAC

Tournament: March 8-12 at Toyota Center, Houston, TX. Alcorn State is ineligible due to APR penalties.

Top contenders: Texas Southern, Jackson State, Southern.

Notes: The vagaries of the SWAC are reflected no better than in conference tournament top seed Texas Southern, as HC Mike Davis’ Houston-based Tigers lost 11 of their 12 non-league games before ripping off 14 wins in their first 15 SWAC outings. As usual, TSU was overscheduled early (at New Mexico, Creighton, Mississippi State, Syracuse, Baylor), but has been the best of the SWAC with a balanced lineup featuring four double-digit scorers led by powerhouse frosh PF Derrick Griffin (13.2 ppg 7 11.1 rpg, good enough for 10th nationally with the latter). Before granting Davis’ team a major edge because second-place Alcorn State is ineligible due to APR penalties, remember that the SWAC tournament has produced some surprises over the years. Note that Southern U beat Mississippi State, Tulane, and Wyoming in pre-SWAC play, and has a big-time scorer in 6-4 former USC-Upstate transfer G Adrian Rodgers (16.8 ppg). And Alabama State was a chic preseason pick to win the league. Though the only SWAC rep to actually beat Texas Southern this term has been subpar Prairie View!

Last year: NCAA-Texas Southern lost vs. Arizona, 93-72.

SUMMIT

Tournament: March 7-10 at the 2-year-old Denny Sanford PREMIER Center, Sioux Falls, SD (not the home court of nearby, Brookings-based South Dakota State, which plays its home games at Frost Arena, or nearby, Vermillion-based South Dakota, which plays its home games at the Dakota Dome). The Summit League was formerly known as Mid-Continent Conference.

Top contenders: South Dakota State, IPFW, Omaha, North Dakota State.

Notes: This wildly-supported event in Sioux Falls takes place for the second year in the still shiny-and-new 13,000-seat Denny Sanford PREMIER Center and annually delivers one of the most crackling atmospheres of all postseason events. The regional edge cannot hurt South Dakota State, which has advanced to a handful of Big Dances in recent years and will be hellbent to atone for last year’s loss in the finale vs. bitter foe North Dakota State. The senior-laden Jackrabbits, under vet HC Scott Nagy, like to push the pace behind their senior perimeter featuring former Wisconsin transfer G George Marshall (16 ppg) and backcourt mate Deondre Parks (15.1 ppg). Though the revelation for the Rabbits has been 6-9 frosh F Mike Daum, scoring 14.8 ppg. Surprising IPFW ranks among the nation’s scoring leaders at 80.4 ppg and surged down the stretch with wins in 15 of its last 19 games. Most of that minus midseason academic casualty G Mo Evans, who was the leading Mastodon scorer at the time (16.9 ppg) of his dismissal. Eventually, former Gardner-Webb transfer G Max Landis (18.7 ppg) would catch fire down the stretch and emerge as one of the Summit’s most-lethal scoring threats. Go-go Omaha (84.9 ppg ranks fifth nationally!) is finally eligible after its transition period and has one of the best 1-2 combos in the Summit with 5-11 G Devin Patterson (17.5 ppg) and former Wichita State transfer F Jake White (17.4 ppg).

Last year: NCAA-North Dakota State lost vs. Gonzaga, 86-76. NIT-South Dakota State won at Colorado State, 86-76; lost at Vanderbilt, 92-77. CBI-Oral Roberts won vs. UC Santa Barbara, 91-87; lost at Loyola-Chicago, 86-78. CIT-IPFW lost at Evansville, 82-77.

WAC

Tournament: March 10-12 at Orleans Arena, Las Vegas, NV. Grand Canyon remains in its transition period from Division II and will be ineligible for the conference tournament, but can participate in the NIT, CBI, or CIT.

Top contenders: New Mexico State, CS Bakersfield.

Notes: The exception to the rule of conference tourneys, as only hardcore fans show up for this event at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, where early-round games are often played in front of a handful of fans. For hoops junkies, however, it’s almost heaven, with some of the games seemingly being conducted for your singular enjoyment! New Mexico State does usually bring some supporters to Vegas and is the favorite to win this event for a fifth straight year, with HC Marvin Menzies fashioning another contender this season without benefit of many returning starters (just two). But 6-9 soph beast Pascal Siakam (whose brother James played in recent years at Vanderbilt) is an immovable object on the blocks who scored 20.6 ppg and hauled in 11.8 rpg (ranking seventh nationally in the latter) who gives the Ags a significant edge in a league without many quality bigs. Though NMSU lacks the sharp edge of recent editions because of spotty 3-point shooting (only 33%). Most expect the top challenge in Vegas to comes from Cal State Bakersfield, under HC Rod Barnes, better known from the past for stints at Ole Miss and Georgia State. Barnes has molded a contender with plenty of balance (five DD scorers) and a burly big, 6-9 Aly Ahmed (13.6 ppg), to do battle with Siakam in the expected showdown vs. NMSU. Worth noting that Siakam was held under his season averages over the two games vs. Ahmed and the Roadrunners, including Siakam’s 1 for 12 FG shooting in the recent 63-55 win over Bakersfield in Las Cruces on Feb. 18. Ahmed, however, often finds himself in foul trouble, and needs to stay on the floor for Barnes’ team to have its best chance.

Last year: NCAA-New Mexico State lost vs. Kansas, 75-56. CBI-Seattle won vs. Pepperdine, 62-45; won vs. Colorado, 72-65; lost at Loyola-Chicago, 63-48. CIT-Grand Canyon lost vs. Northern Arizona, 75-70.

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Thursday's six-pack

-- St Bonaventure 98, St Joe's 90-- Marcus Posey had 47 for the Bonnies.

-- Washington 98, Washington St. 91-- Andrew Andrews also had 47 for U-Dub.

-- Ole Miss 86, Mississippi St 78-- Stefan Moody had half the Rebels' points.

-- Hartford 68, Albany 59-- #2-seed Great Danes were 18-point home favorites.

-- NC State 73, Boston College 72-- Eagles almost got their first ACC win.

-- Austin Peay 92, Tennessee Tech 72-- Minor upset in OVC tourney.

**********

Armadillo: Thursday's List of 13: Doing some thinking out loud.......

13) RIP Mr Ray Stack-- A teacher, coach, friend, Ray passed away this week after a lengthy illness. Blessed with a booming voice and a tremendous laugh, Ray was always fun to be around-- you couldn't help but feel smarter after spending time with him.

He made an outsider feel welcome when he didn't have to; the four years Ray and I coached basketball together was one of the best experiences of my life.

RIP, Ray. It was an honor to know you.

12) Denver Broncos didn't franchise QB Brock Osweiler, meaning he becomes a free agent Wednesday; could it be that Peyton Manning might return to Denver?

11) VCU 70, Davidson 60-- Davidson coach Bob McKillop became Wildcats' coach in 1989, when VCU coach Will Wade.......was seven years old.

10) UNLV freshman Derrick Jones Jr has a 3.25 GPA, is a solid citizen, but he was declared ineligible this week because the ACT, out of nowhere, declared his test score ineligible.....on March 2. Not the NCAA, the actual ACT. Something isn't right-- why wasn't this discovered earlier? Now the kid will go pro when he isn't ready, when if it was discovered in the fall, he could've sat this year out, played next year, and his career wouldn't be screwed up. This doesn't sound like the right way to do business.

9) We talked yesterday about credits for the movie Leap of Faith, where a guy named Ricky Jay was mentioned-- turns out he is a magician that was influential in Steve Martin's career. Early on, Martin used to include magic in his comedy act, so it was a joke that Ricky Jay was listed in the credits as "Cons and Frauds Consultant".

8) Greedy bastard update-- We haven't done this for a while; I am told the price of gas in Ohio is in the $1.60's, which is great for them, but at the Mobil station closest to my house, it is still $2.13. Now there is another Mobil station about a mile from there- their price is $1.99, which makes no sense. Across the street from the place where gas is $2.13, they're selling it for $1.97, but the place has crummy parking and is harder to get in and out of, so not as many people get gas there. Go figure.

7) 36-year old Baron Davis played for the Knicks in 2012, the last time he was in the NBA; he has signed with the 76ers' D-League team, as he launches a comeback. This is going to be interesting, I guess, but do the 76ers really want him? If he can still play, what contender would take a chance on him? Four years is a long time.

6) Speaking of the D-League, the Knicks didn't offer Jimmer Fredette a second 10-day contract, which is a little unusual. I've always said he has two years on the Jazz bench coming to him, because his status as a BYU legend will allow him to end his playing career gracefully- that day may be coming sooner than he had hoped.

5) I'm enjoying spring training games during the day this week, but March is the one time of year I do not want to hear the name of players on my fantasy team on TV- it is seldom good news. Already have two pitchers hurt and a shortstop about to get the book thrown at him for a domestic violence thing. Oy.

4) Interesting contrast on ESPN-- they employ Joe Lunardi to re-configure the Field of 68 during every TV timeout, seemingly-- he works hard, his work is interesting, albeit irrelevant, but it is something to talk about. When it comes to the at-large bids, Lunardi favors taking strong mid-majors who slipped up in conference tournaments over teams from big conferences who had under-.500 records in conference.

Then there is Jay Bilas, an elitist who thinks the NCAAs should be the 68 best teams, no matter what. No automatic bids for smaller leagues-- those are the teams who make the tournament the fascinating event it is. He'd rather see the 10th-place team in the Pac-12 get in over the champ of the Southland Conference or the MAAC.

Differing opinions make for an interesting debate, but the charm of the NCAAs, and the big money it draws from CBS, is because it is truly a national tournament-- where else could Montana State play St John's, or UCLA play Stephen F Austin?

3) Heard a guy on TV say over weekend that he thought a #1 seed would get beat in first round of NCAA tournament this year- that has never happened. His partner was not agreeing with him, saying the 16-seeds have gotten worse over the years, plus two of the four 16-seeds have to win a play-in game first. Makes it harder.

2) In case you care about such things, going back to 1987, smallest pointspread in a 1-16 first round game was in 1990, when Michigan State was 15-point favorite over Murray State-- the Spartans won in overtime, as close to losing as a 1-seed has come.

1) I do think this year will be like 1988, when 6-seed Kansas won the national title, running a huge wave of luck to get advantageous matchups. Let me show you.....

1st round-- 6-seed Kansas (even) beat 11-seed Xavier 85-72
2nd round-- Kansas (-7.5) 61, beat 14-seed Murray State 61-58. Murray had upset the #3-seed NC State in its first round game.
3rd round-- Kansas (-1) beat Vanderbilt 77-64. Vandy upset #2-seed Pitt in a second round game.
Regional final-- Kansas (+2) beat Kansas State 77-58. K-State had upset the top seed Purdue in the regional semi-final.

So Kansas made the Final Four without playing the 1,2 or 3 seed in that region- that is how underdogs get to the Final Four. It could happen again.

[StarDust Bum]

College basketball betting TV guide: Must-watch, must-wager games

Maryland and Indiana are two of the better teams in the Big 10, but both teams have been poor against the spread.

Thursday: California at Arizona
Where to watch: ESPN, 9:00 p.m. ET

California will complete their regular season with two games on the road. The Golden Bears went undefeated at home this season, but they are just 3-6 SU in true road games. Arizona will finish their regular season with a pair of home games. They come into this game off back-to-back road losses, so the Wildcats will be primed for a big effort against California.

Friday: Texas at Oklahoma State
Where to watch: espn2, 9:00 p.m. ET

Texas has been a pleasant surprise this season. The Longhorns played their first year under head coach Shaka Smart, and they did so without their best player. Texas comes in off a embarrassing home loss to Kansas on Monday night. Oklahoma State was a young team decimated with injuries, but they only lost by 5 points at Texas earlier this season. The Cowboys will play their final home game, but they are just 3-14 SU over their last 17 games.

Saturday: Louisville at Virginia
Where to watch: ESPN, 8:30 p.m. ET

Louisville will complete their regular season at Virginia on Saturday. The Cardinals will not play in the post-season, so they may treat this game as a tournament game. Louisville was embarrassed by 16 points at home by Virginia, so they are also playing with legitimate revenge. Virginia has been terrific all season, and this will be their final home game of the season. The Cavaliers are undefeated at home, so Louisville has a tough challenge ahead of them.

Sunday: Maryland at Indiana
Where to watch: CBS, 4:30 p.m. ET

Maryland and Indiana are two of the better teams in the Big 10, but both teams have been poor against the spread. The Terrapins are just 12-15-1 ATS as of this writing, and they’d lost three of four games heading into their game against Illinois on Thursday. The Hoosiers were just 15-14 ATS going into their road game at Iowa on Tuesday. Indiana will return home for their final game of the season, so they’ll be ready for a peak performance.

Monday: No national TV games scheduled.

Tuesday: No national TV games scheduled.

[StarDust Bum]

NCAAB
Long Sheet

Thursday, March 3

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LOUISIANA TECH (22 - 7) at MARSHALL (15 - 14) - 3/3/2016, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MARSHALL is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) as a favorite this season.
MARSHALL is 32-16 ATS (+14.4 Units) as a home favorite of 3.5 to 6 points since 1997.
MARSHALL is 12-4 ATS (+7.6 Units) against conference opponents this season.
MARSHALL is 12-4 ATS (+7.6 Units) after a conference game this season.
MARSHALL is 21-9 ATS (+11.1 Units) in home games versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game since 1997.


Head-to-Head Series History
LOUISIANA TECH is 2-0 against the spread versus MARSHALL over the last 3 seasons
LOUISIANA TECH is 2-0 straight up against MARSHALL over the last 3 seasons
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




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ILLINOIS (13 - 16) at MARYLAND (23 - 6) - 3/3/2016, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ILLINOIS is 8-17 ATS (-10.7 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
ILLINOIS is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) after scoring 80 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
MARYLAND is 3-11 ATS (-9.1 Units) as a home favorite of 12.5 or more points over the last 2 seasons.
MARYLAND is 2-9 ATS (-7.9 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
ILLINOIS is 1-0 against the spread versus MARYLAND over the last 3 seasons
ILLINOIS is 1-0 straight up against MARYLAND over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




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MASSACHUSETTS (12 - 16) at RHODE ISLAND (16 - 13) - 3/3/2016, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MASSACHUSETTS is 9-19 ATS (-11.9 Units) when the total is 140 to 149.5 over the last 3 seasons.
MASSACHUSETTS is 0-8 ATS (-8.8 Units) in March games over the last 3 seasons.
RHODE ISLAND is 94-131 ATS (-50.1 Units) in all home games since 1997.
RHODE ISLAND is 94-131 ATS (-50.1 Units) in home lined games since 1997.
RHODE ISLAND is 56-93 ATS (-46.3 Units) in home games against conference opponents since 1997.
RHODE ISLAND is 25-47 ATS (-26.7 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997.
RHODE ISLAND is 14-28 ATS (-16.8 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record after 15 or more games since 1997.


Head-to-Head Series History
RHODE ISLAND is 3-3 against the spread versus MASSACHUSETTS over the last 3 seasons
MASSACHUSETTS is 5-1 straight up against RHODE ISLAND over the last 3 seasons
4 of 6 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




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GEORGIA (15 - 12) at S CAROLINA (23 - 6) - 3/3/2016, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
S CAROLINA is 17-8 ATS (+8.2 Units) in all games this season.
S CAROLINA is 17-8 ATS (+8.2 Units) in all lined games this season.
S CAROLINA is 16-7 ATS (+8.3 Units) as a favorite this season.
S CAROLINA is 10-3 ATS (+6.7 Units) in all home games this season.
S CAROLINA is 10-3 ATS (+6.7 Units) in home lined games this season.
S CAROLINA is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
GEORGIA is 25-15 ATS (+8.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
S CAROLINA is 63-88 ATS (-33.8 Units) in home games against conference opponents since 1997.


Head-to-Head Series History
GEORGIA is 4-2 against the spread versus S CAROLINA over the last 3 seasons
GEORGIA is 4-2 straight up against S CAROLINA over the last 3 seasons
3 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




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MIDDLE TENN ST (19 - 9) at FLA ATLANTIC (7 - 22) - 3/3/2016, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MIDDLE TENN ST is 11-25 ATS (-16.5 Units) in road games over the last 3 seasons.
MIDDLE TENN ST is 11-25 ATS (-16.5 Units) in road lined games over the last 3 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
FLA ATLANTIC is 2-2 against the spread versus MIDDLE TENN ST over the last 3 seasons
MIDDLE TENN ST is 4-0 straight up against FLA ATLANTIC over the last 3 seasons
4 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




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MEMPHIS (16 - 13) at TEMPLE (18 - 10) - 3/3/2016, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MEMPHIS is 6-15 ATS (-10.5 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 12-22 ATS (-12.2 Units) after a conference game over the last 2 seasons.
TEMPLE is 193-150 ATS (+28.0 Units) against conference opponents since 1997.
TEMPLE is 13-6 ATS (+6.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
TEMPLE is 54-29 ATS (+22.1 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games since 1997.
MEMPHIS is 148-102 ATS (+35.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games since 1997.


Head-to-Head Series History
TEMPLE is 4-1 against the spread versus MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
MEMPHIS is 3-2 straight up against TEMPLE over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




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UAB (24 - 5) at FLA INTERNATIONAL (13 - 16) - 3/3/2016, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
UAB is 1-8 ATS (-7.8 Units) when the total is 140 to 149.5 this season.
UAB is 19-32 ATS (-16.2 Units) as a favorite over the last 3 seasons.
UAB is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) in a road game where the total is 140 to 144.5 over the last 3 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
FLA INTERNATIONAL is 3-1 against the spread versus UAB over the last 3 seasons
FLA INTERNATIONAL is 2-2 straight up against UAB over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




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ARK-LITTLE ROCK (27 - 3) at APPALACHIAN ST (7 - 22) - 3/3/2016, 7:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ARK-LITTLE ROCK is 17-9 ATS (+7.1 Units) in all games this season.
ARK-LITTLE ROCK is 17-9 ATS (+7.1 Units) in all lined games this season.


Head-to-Head Series History
ARK-LITTLE ROCK is 3-0 against the spread versus APPALACHIAN ST over the last 3 seasons
ARK-LITTLE ROCK is 3-0 straight up against APPALACHIAN ST over the last 3 seasons
2 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




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GA SOUTHERN (14 - 14) at LA-MONROE (17 - 12) - 3/3/2016, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LA-MONROE is 35-23 ATS (+9.7 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
LA-MONROE is 35-23 ATS (+9.7 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
LA-MONROE is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in all home games this season.
LA-MONROE is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in home lined games this season.
LA-MONROE is 13-5 ATS (+7.5 Units) against conference opponents this season.
LA-MONROE is 27-13 ATS (+12.7 Units) after a conference game over the last 2 seasons.
LA-MONROE is 20-7 ATS (+12.3 Units) off a win against a conference rival over the last 2 seasons.
GA SOUTHERN is 28-17 ATS (+9.3 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
GA SOUTHERN is 28-17 ATS (+9.3 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
GA SOUTHERN is 24-14 ATS (+8.6 Units) against conference opponents over the last 2 seasons.
GA SOUTHERN is 12-5 ATS (+6.5 Units) after a conference game this season.
LA-MONROE is 25-46 ATS (-25.6 Units) revenging a road loss vs opponent since 1997.


Head-to-Head Series History
LA-MONROE is 2-2 against the spread versus GA SOUTHERN over the last 3 seasons
GA SOUTHERN is 3-1 straight up against LA-MONROE over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




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CHARLOTTE (12 - 17) at RICE (12 - 17) - 3/3/2016, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHARLOTTE is 18-34 ATS (-19.4 Units) in March games since 1997.
CHARLOTTE is 8-2 ATS (+5.8 Units) after scoring 80 points or more this season.
RICE is 7-15 ATS (-9.5 Units) in all games this season.
RICE is 7-15 ATS (-9.5 Units) in all lined games this season.
RICE is 3-12 ATS (-10.2 Units) in home games in March games since 1997.
RICE is 3-11 ATS (-9.1 Units) after a conference game this season.
RICE is 1-8 ATS (-7.8 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
RICE is 30-50 ATS (-25.0 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record after 15 or more games since 1997.


Head-to-Head Series History
RICE is 3-1 against the spread versus CHARLOTTE over the last 3 seasons
RICE is 2-2 straight up against CHARLOTTE over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




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OLD DOMINION (17 - 12) at N TEXAS (11 - 18) - 3/3/2016, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
OLD DOMINION is 86-121 ATS (-47.1 Units) off a win against a conference rival since 1997.
OLD DOMINION is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
OLD DOMINION is 37-20 ATS (+15.0 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a losing record after 15 or more games since 1997.
N TEXAS is 7-15 ATS (-9.5 Units) in all games this season.
N TEXAS is 7-15 ATS (-9.5 Units) in all lined games this season.
N TEXAS is 3-12 ATS (-10.2 Units) as an underdog this season.
N TEXAS is 2-11 ATS (-10.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.


Head-to-Head Series History
OLD DOMINION is 3-1 against the spread versus N TEXAS over the last 3 seasons
OLD DOMINION is 4-0 straight up against N TEXAS over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


S ALABAMA (13 - 16) at TX-ARLINGTON (20 - 9) - 3/3/2016, 8:15 PM
Top Trends for this game.
S ALABAMA is 110-143 ATS (-47.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.


Head-to-Head Series History
S ALABAMA is 3-2 against the spread versus TX-ARLINGTON over the last 3 seasons
S ALABAMA is 3-2 straight up against TX-ARLINGTON over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




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GEORGIA ST (15 - 12) at LA-LAFAYETTE (15 - 12) - 3/3/2016, 8:15 PM
Top Trends for this game.
GEORGIA ST is 7-17 ATS (-11.7 Units) in all games this season.
GEORGIA ST is 7-17 ATS (-11.7 Units) in all lined games this season.
GEORGIA ST is 1-11 ATS (-11.1 Units) when the total is 130 to 139.5 this season.
GEORGIA ST is 0-6 ATS (-6.6 Units) as an underdog this season.
GEORGIA ST is 9-19 ATS (-11.9 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
GEORGIA ST is 9-19 ATS (-11.9 Units) in road lined games over the last 2 seasons.
GEORGIA ST is 4-13 ATS (-10.3 Units) against conference opponents this season.
GEORGIA ST is 4-12 ATS (-9.2 Units) after a conference game this season.
GEORGIA ST is 4-12 ATS (-9.2 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
LA-LAFAYETTE is 5-2 against the spread versus GEORGIA ST over the last 3 seasons
GEORGIA ST is 4-3 straight up against LA-LAFAYETTE over the last 3 seasons
5 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




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TROY (9 - 20) at TEXAS ST (12 - 15) - 3/3/2016, 8:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TROY is 20-31 ATS (-14.1 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
TROY is 20-31 ATS (-14.1 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
TROY is 14-24 ATS (-12.4 Units) against conference opponents over the last 2 seasons.
TROY is 1-9 ATS (-8.9 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
TROY is 3-12 ATS (-10.2 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record after 15 or more games over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS ST is 28-42 ATS (-18.2 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
TEXAS ST is 28-42 ATS (-18.2 Units) in all lined games over the last 3 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
TEXAS ST is 3-2 against the spread versus TROY over the last 3 seasons
TEXAS ST is 3-2 straight up against TROY over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




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NORTHWESTERN (18 - 11) at PENN ST (15 - 14) - 3/3/2016, 9:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.


Head-to-Head Series History
PENN ST is 2-1 against the spread versus NORTHWESTERN over the last 3 seasons
PENN ST is 2-1 straight up against NORTHWESTERN over the last 3 seasons
2 of 3 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




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CONNECTICUT (20 - 9) at SMU (24 - 4) - 3/3/2016, 9:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CONNECTICUT is 5-17 ATS (-13.7 Units) in a road game where the total is 130 to 134.5 since 1997.
SMU is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) in a home game where the total is 130 to 134.5 over the last 3 seasons.
SMU is 34-55 ATS (-26.5 Units) in home games revenging a road loss vs opponent since 1997.
SMU is 28-46 ATS (-22.6 Units) in home games after allowing 60 points or less since 1997.


Head-to-Head Series History
SMU is 4-2 against the spread versus CONNECTICUT over the last 3 seasons
SMU is 4-2 straight up against CONNECTICUT over the last 3 seasons
3 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




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CALIFORNIA (21 - 8) at ARIZONA (22 - 7) - 3/3/2016, 9:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ARIZONA is 32-18 ATS (+12.2 Units) in all home games over the last 3 seasons.
ARIZONA is 32-18 ATS (+12.2 Units) in home lined games over the last 3 seasons.
ARIZONA is 24-13 ATS (+9.7 Units) against conference opponents over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 16-6 ATS (+9.4 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
CALIFORNIA is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) off a win against a conference rival this season.


Head-to-Head Series History
ARIZONA is 4-2 against the spread versus CALIFORNIA over the last 3 seasons
ARIZONA is 4-2 straight up against CALIFORNIA over the last 3 seasons
3 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




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CINCINNATI (21 - 8) at HOUSTON (21 - 8) - 3/3/2016, 9:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CINCINNATI is 38-58 ATS (-25.8 Units) in March games since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 107-143 ATS (-50.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games since 1997.
HOUSTON is 22-10 ATS (+11.0 Units) in all home games over the last 3 seasons.
HOUSTON is 22-10 ATS (+11.0 Units) in home lined games over the last 3 seasons.
HOUSTON is 17-7 ATS (+9.3 Units) off a win against a conference rival over the last 3 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 3-2 against the spread versus CINCINNATI over the last 3 seasons
CINCINNATI is 5-0 straight up against HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


SOUTHERN MISS (8 - 19) at W KENTUCKY (14 - 15) - 3/3/2016, 9:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
W KENTUCKY is 43-21 ATS (+19.9 Units) in March games since 1997.


Head-to-Head Series History
W KENTUCKY is 2-0 against the spread versus SOUTHERN MISS over the last 3 seasons
W KENTUCKY is 2-0 straight up against SOUTHERN MISS over the last 3 seasons
2 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




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UC-RIVERSIDE (14 - 16) at UC-SANTA BARBARA (15 - 12) - 3/3/2016, 10:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
UC-SANTA BARBARA is 41-24 ATS (+14.6 Units) in March games since 1997.
UC-SANTA BARBARA is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) after scoring 80 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
UC-RIVERSIDE is 7-0 ATS (+7.0 Units) revenging a home loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
UC-RIVERSIDE is 4-1 against the spread versus UC-SANTA BARBARA over the last 3 seasons
UC-SANTA BARBARA is 4-1 straight up against UC-RIVERSIDE over the last 3 seasons
4 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


HAWAII (23 - 4) at CAL DAVIS (10 - 17) - 3/3/2016, 10:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.


Head-to-Head Series History
CAL DAVIS is 3-3 against the spread versus HAWAII over the last 3 seasons
HAWAII is 5-1 straight up against CAL DAVIS over the last 3 seasons
4 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




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STANFORD (15 - 12) at ARIZONA ST (14 - 15) - 3/3/2016, 11:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
STANFORD is 4-14 ATS (-11.4 Units) in road games against conference opponents over the last 2 seasons.
STANFORD is 4-14 ATS (-11.4 Units) in road games after a conference game over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA ST is 11-22 ATS (-13.2 Units) against conference opponents over the last 2 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
STANFORD is 3-2 against the spread versus ARIZONA ST over the last 3 seasons
STANFORD is 4-2 straight up against ARIZONA ST over the last 3 seasons
3 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




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CAL POLY-SLO (10 - 17) at UC-IRVINE (22 - 8) - 3/3/2016, 11:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CAL POLY-SLO is 8-16 ATS (-9.6 Units) in all games this season.
CAL POLY-SLO is 8-16 ATS (-9.6 Units) in all lined games this season.
CAL POLY-SLO is 18-32 ATS (-17.2 Units) against conference opponents over the last 3 seasons.
CAL POLY-SLO is 18-31 ATS (-16.1 Units) after a conference game over the last 3 seasons.
CAL POLY-SLO is 1-7 ATS (-6.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
CAL POLY-SLO is 1-8 ATS (-7.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games over the last 2 seasons.
UC-IRVINE is 21-11 ATS (+8.9 Units) after a conference game over the last 2 seasons.
UC-IRVINE is 22-40 ATS (-22.0 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record after 15 or more games since 1997.


Head-to-Head Series History
UC-IRVINE is 4-2 against the spread versus CAL POLY-SLO over the last 3 seasons
UC-IRVINE is 5-1 straight up against CAL POLY-SLO over the last 3 seasons
3 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


BRADLEY (5 - 26) vs. LOYOLA-IL (14 - 16) - 3/3/2016, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BRADLEY is 23-34 ATS (-14.4 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BRADLEY is 23-34 ATS (-14.4 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
LOYOLA-IL is 4-11 ATS (-8.1 Units) as a favorite this season.


Head-to-Head Series History
LOYOLA-IL is 4-3 against the spread versus BRADLEY over the last 3 seasons
LOYOLA-IL is 4-3 straight up against BRADLEY over the last 3 seasons
5 of 6 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




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DRAKE (7 - 23) vs. MISSOURI ST (12 - 18) - 3/3/2016, 9:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DRAKE is 9-18 ATS (-10.8 Units) in all games this season.
DRAKE is 9-18 ATS (-10.8 Units) in all lined games this season.
DRAKE is 4-14 ATS (-11.4 Units) against conference opponents this season.
DRAKE is 4-13 ATS (-10.3 Units) after a conference game this season.
DRAKE is 2-8 ATS (-6.8 Units) revenging a road loss vs opponent this season.


Head-to-Head Series History
MISSOURI ST is 4-2 against the spread versus DRAKE over the last 3 seasons
MISSOURI ST is 4-2 straight up against DRAKE over the last 3 seasons
3 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




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IDAHO ST (15 - 13) at E WASHINGTON (16 - 12) - 3/3/2016, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
IDAHO ST is 34-53 ATS (-24.3 Units) off a win against a conference rival since 1997.
E WASHINGTON is 66-45 ATS (+16.5 Units) off a loss against a conference rival since 1997.
E WASHINGTON is 57-33 ATS (+20.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games since 1997.
IDAHO ST is 16-8 ATS (+7.2 Units) in all games this season.
IDAHO ST is 16-8 ATS (+7.2 Units) in all lined games this season.
IDAHO ST is 33-19 ATS (+12.1 Units) as an underdog over the last 3 seasons.
IDAHO ST is 34-20 ATS (+12.0 Units) against conference opponents over the last 3 seasons.
IDAHO ST is 33-19 ATS (+12.1 Units) after a conference game over the last 3 seasons.
IDAHO ST is 21-6 ATS (+14.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
IDAHO ST is 10-1 ATS (+8.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games over the last 3 seasons.
IDAHO ST is 7-1 ATS (+5.9 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game this season.


Head-to-Head Series History
IDAHO ST is 3-1 against the spread versus E WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
E WASHINGTON is 3-1 straight up against IDAHO ST over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


N COLORADO (9 - 19) at MONTANA ST (12 - 16) - 3/3/2016, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
N COLORADO is 18-32 ATS (-17.2 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
N COLORADO is 18-32 ATS (-17.2 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
N COLORADO is 11-21 ATS (-12.1 Units) after a conference game over the last 2 seasons.
N COLORADO is 7-18 ATS (-12.8 Units) off a loss against a conference rival over the last 3 seasons.
MONTANA ST is 19-6 ATS (+12.4 Units) after playing 3 consecutive road games since 1997.
MONTANA ST is 41-69 ATS (-34.9 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record after 15 or more games since 1997.


Head-to-Head Series History
MONTANA ST is 3-2 against the spread versus N COLORADO over the last 3 seasons
N COLORADO is 3-2 straight up against MONTANA ST over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




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N DAKOTA (15 - 12) at MONTANA (18 - 9) - 3/3/2016, 10:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
N DAKOTA is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) when the total is 140 to 149.5 this season.


Head-to-Head Series History
MONTANA is 2-1 against the spread versus N DAKOTA over the last 3 seasons
MONTANA is 4-1 straight up against N DAKOTA over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


WEBER ST (22 - 7) at IDAHO (18 - 11) - 3/3/2016, 10:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
IDAHO is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
IDAHO is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games over the last 2 seasons.
WEBER ST is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) in road games after scoring 60 points or less over the last 3 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
WEBER ST is 1-0 against the spread versus IDAHO over the last 3 seasons
IDAHO is 1-1 straight up against WEBER ST over the last 3 seasons
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




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N ARIZONA (5 - 22) at PORTLAND ST (10 - 17) - 3/3/2016, 10:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
N ARIZONA is 7-15 ATS (-9.5 Units) in all games this season.
N ARIZONA is 7-15 ATS (-9.5 Units) in all lined games this season.
N ARIZONA is 1-8 ATS (-7.8 Units) when the total is 150 to 159.5 this season.
N ARIZONA is 3-10 ATS (-8.0 Units) in road games this season.
N ARIZONA is 3-10 ATS (-8.0 Units) in road lined games this season.
N ARIZONA is 49-72 ATS (-30.2 Units) off a loss against a conference rival since 1997.
N ARIZONA is 19-9 ATS (+9.1 Units) in road games against conference opponents over the last 3 seasons.
N ARIZONA is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) in March games over the last 3 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
N ARIZONA is 4-0 against the spread versus PORTLAND ST over the last 3 seasons
N ARIZONA is 4-0 straight up against PORTLAND ST over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




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SOUTHERN UTAH (6 - 21) at SACRAMENTO ST (11 - 16) - 3/3/2016, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SOUTHERN UTAH is 6-18 ATS (-13.8 Units) in all games this season.
SOUTHERN UTAH is 6-18 ATS (-13.8 Units) in all lined games this season.
SOUTHERN UTAH is 5-14 ATS (-10.4 Units) as an underdog this season.


Head-to-Head Series History
SACRAMENTO ST is 3-1 against the spread versus SOUTHERN UTAH over the last 3 seasons
SACRAMENTO ST is 3-1 straight up against SOUTHERN UTAH over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


QUINNIPIAC (9 - 20) vs. RIDER (12 - 19) - 3/3/2016, 5:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
QUINNIPIAC is 6-15 ATS (-10.5 Units) in all games this season.
QUINNIPIAC is 6-15 ATS (-10.5 Units) in all lined games this season.
QUINNIPIAC is 3-13 ATS (-11.3 Units) as an underdog this season.
QUINNIPIAC is 6-14 ATS (-9.4 Units) against conference opponents this season.
QUINNIPIAC is 3-10 ATS (-8.0 Units) off a loss against a conference rival this season.
QUINNIPIAC is 7-17 ATS (-11.7 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
QUINNIPIAC is 1-8 ATS (-7.8 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a losing record after 15 or more games over the last 2 seasons.
RIDER is 12-4 ATS (+7.6 Units) when the total is 120 to 129.5 over the last 2 seasons.
RIDER is 99-71 ATS (+20.9 Units) in road games against conference opponents since 1997.
RIDER is 9-17 ATS (-9.7 Units) in all games this season.
RIDER is 9-17 ATS (-9.7 Units) in all lined games this season.
RIDER is 84-113 ATS (-40.3 Units) as a favorite since 1997.


Head-to-Head Series History
RIDER is 4-2 against the spread versus QUINNIPIAC over the last 3 seasons
RIDER is 4-2 straight up against QUINNIPIAC over the last 3 seasons
4 of 6 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


NIAGARA (7 - 24) vs. CANISIUS (13 - 18) - 3/3/2016, 7:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CANISIUS is 55-35 ATS (+16.5 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997.
CANISIUS is 5-14 ATS (-10.4 Units) after a conference game this season.
CANISIUS is 2-9 ATS (-7.9 Units) off a loss against a conference rival this season.


Head-to-Head Series History
CANISIUS is 4-2 against the spread versus NIAGARA over the last 3 seasons
CANISIUS is 5-1 straight up against NIAGARA over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




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MARIST (7 - 22) vs. MANHATTAN (12 - 17) - 3/3/2016, 10:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MARIST is 19-34 ATS (-18.4 Units) in all tournament games since 1997.
MANHATTAN is 23-12 ATS (+9.8 Units) in road games after a conference game over the last 3 seasons.
MANHATTAN is 46-26 ATS (+17.4 Units) in road games after allowing 60 points or less since 1997.
MANHATTAN is 34-18 ATS (+14.2 Units) in road games in all tournament games since 1997.
MANHATTAN is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) in conference tournament games over the last 3 seasons.
MANHATTAN is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a losing record after 15 or more games over the last 2 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
MANHATTAN is 5-2 against the spread versus MARIST over the last 3 seasons
MANHATTAN is 6-1 straight up against MARIST over the last 3 seasons
3 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


CHARLESTON SO (9 - 20) vs. LONGWOOD (9 - 22) - 3/3/2016, 2:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.


Head-to-Head Series History
LONGWOOD is 1-0 against the spread versus CHARLESTON SO over the last 3 seasons
LONGWOOD is 3-2 straight up against CHARLESTON SO over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


PRESBYTERIAN (10 - 19) vs. RADFORD (16 - 14) - 3/3/2016, 4:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
RADFORD is 0-7 ATS (-7.7 Units) in all neutral court games since 1997.
RADFORD is 0-7 ATS (-7.7 Units) when playing on a neutral court since 1997.


Head-to-Head Series History
PRESBYTERIAN is 1-0 against the spread versus RADFORD over the last 3 seasons
RADFORD is 4-1 straight up against PRESBYTERIAN over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


CAMPBELL (12 - 17) vs. GARDNER WEBB (15 - 15) - 3/3/2016, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
GARDNER WEBB is 19-8 ATS (+10.2 Units) in all tournament games since 1997.


Head-to-Head Series History
GARDNER WEBB is 1-0 against the spread versus CAMPBELL over the last 3 seasons
GARDNER WEBB is 4-2 straight up against CAMPBELL over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


STETSON (10 - 21) at LIPSCOMB (12 - 20) - 3/3/2016, 7:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.


Head-to-Head Series History
LIPSCOMB is 4-2 straight up against STETSON over the last 3 seasons




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


FLA GULF COAST (18 - 13) at N FLORIDA (22 - 10) - 3/3/2016, 7:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
N FLORIDA is 16-6 ATS (+9.4 Units) in all tournament games since 1997.
FLA GULF COAST is 25-11 ATS (+12.9 Units) in all games since 1997.
FLA GULF COAST is 25-11 ATS (+12.9 Units) in all lined games since 1997.
FLA GULF COAST is 15-4 ATS (+10.6 Units) as an underdog since 1997.
FLA GULF COAST is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) in March games since 1997.
FLA GULF COAST is 13-1 ATS (+11.9 Units) in road games in all tournament games since 1997.
FLA GULF COAST is 11-1 ATS (+9.9 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.


Head-to-Head Series History
N FLORIDA is 3-3 straight up against FLA GULF COAST over the last 3 seasons




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


HOLY CROSS (11 - 19) at BUCKNELL (17 - 12) - 3/3/2016, 7:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.


Head-to-Head Series History
BUCKNELL is 2-0 against the spread versus HOLY CROSS over the last 3 seasons
BUCKNELL is 5-2 straight up against HOLY CROSS over the last 3 seasons
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


COLGATE (13 - 16) at ARMY (18 - 12) - 3/3/2016, 7:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.


Head-to-Head Series History
ARMY is 1-0 against the spread versus COLGATE over the last 3 seasons
ARMY is 4-2 straight up against COLGATE over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


AMERICAN (11 - 18) at BOSTON U (18 - 13) - 3/3/2016, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON U is 13-3 ATS (+9.7 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997.
AMERICAN is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) in conference tournament games over the last 3 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON U is 1-1 against the spread versus AMERICAN over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON U is 5-2 straight up against AMERICAN over the last 3 seasons
2 of 2 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


NAVY (19 - 13) at LEHIGH (15 - 14) - 3/3/2016, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LEHIGH is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
LEHIGH is 5-1 straight up against NAVY over the last 3 seasons

[StarDust Bum]

NCAAB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Thursday, March 3

Louisiana Tech won nine of its last 11 games; Bulldogs won 98-77/81-57 in two C-USA games with Marshall, both in Ruston. This first time the Bulldogs have been a C-USA underdog this year; they're 3-4 on road in conference. Marshall covered five of its last six games; they're 6-1 as HF, but lost their last two games, both on road. C-USA home favorites of 5 or less points are 16-6 against the spread.

Georgia beat South Carolina 69-56 Feb 2, holding Gamecocks to 31.6% from floor; Dawgs are 10-3 in last 13 series games- teams split last four in Columbia. Georgia lost three of last four games overall; they're 3-3 as SEC road dogs. Carolina lost three of last five games; they're 6-1 as SEC home favorites, with only home loss to Kentucky. SEC home favorites of 7 or less points are 20-11 against the spread.

Memphis beat Temple 67-65 at home Jan 13, rallying back from down 11 in second half; Tigers are 3-2 vs Temple in AAC play- they won by 10 here in only visit two years ago. Memphis is 4-8 in its last 12 games; they're 1-6 SU on AAC road, 2-2 as road underdog. Temple won seven of last eight games, is 2-3 as a home favorite. AAC home favorites of 5 or less points are 7-5 against the spread.

UConn beat SMU 68-62 at home two weeks ago; home side won four of five series games. Huskies lost 74-65/73-55 in two AAC trips here- they split last six games after a 17-6 start, are 5-3 on AAC road, 1-1 as road underdogs. Mustangs won last three games, allowing 59.3 ppg; they are 2-6 as home favorites. AAC home favorites of more than five points are 15-25 against spread. Senior Night for SMU team whose season ends on Sunday- they're ineligible for postseason.

California won/covered its last seven games; they're 1-2 as road dog in Pac-12. Arizona lost 74-73 at Cal Jan 23, its first loss in last five games against Bears, who are 1-4 in last five visits to Tucson, losing by 4-2-28-23 points. Arizona got swept at Colorado/Utah LW; they won three in a row at home, are 4-3 vs spread as a home favorite. Pac-12 home faves of 6 or less points are 17-12 against the spread.

Cincinnati/Houston both won eight of last ten games; Cougars lost by 11 at Cincinnati Jan 13, despite making 10-22 on arc- they shot 30.3% on 2-point shots. Bearcats won all five AAC games with Houston, winning 61-60/63-53 in two visits here. Cincy is 4-4 on AAC road; their losses on road were by total of 10 points. Houston is 5-3 at home in the AAC. AAC home favorites of 4 or less points are 7-4 vs spread. .

Missouri Valley tournament
Road team won both Bradley-Loyola games this year, both low-scoring tilts- first half totals were 44-43. Bradley is 1-4 in MVC tourney the last four years- they won a game LY, but lost four of last five games overall, covering six of last eight. Loyola is 2-7 in conference tourneys last seven years- they did win game each of last two years. Ramblers are 1-6 vs the spread as a Missouri Valley favorite.

Missouri State swept Drake by 9 points each this year after trailing both games at half; Bears outscored Drake 35-16 on foul line in those games. State is 4-2 in its first Arch Madness game last six years. Drake is 2-7 in this event last seven years; Bulldogs lost seven of their last eight games overall, Missouri State five of last seven; not lot to choose from here. Bulldogs are 2-5-1 as road dogs, State is 1-2-1 vs spread as a favorite.

MAAC tournament
Home side won both Rider-Quinnipiac games this season; Bobcats shot 28.2%/33.3% inside arc in those games. Rider is 4-2 vs Quinnipiac in its MAAC matchups; Broncs are 1-4 in this tourney last four years- they lost in first round after 12-6/15-5 seasons. Quinnipiac was 1-2 in its first two MAAC tourneyes; Bobcats lost seven of last eight games overall, Rider three of its last four games. These early round games don't present you with lot of appetizing investment opportunities.

Canisius beat local rival Niagara twice this year, 70-61 on road, 65-60 at home week ago tonight; Griffins shot 56%+ inside arc in both wins, only 8-42 outside arc. Niagara lost eight of last nine games, Canisius eight of last 11. Canisius is just 1-5 in this event last five years, winning in first round two years ago. Niagara is 10-3 in first round tourney games in last 13 years, but most of that was when Joe Mihalich was the coach there.

Marist is 39-111 in MAAC regular season the last eight years, but 4-3 in first round of MAAC tourney. Manhattan won MAAC tourney the last two years, but slumped to 9-11 this year. Road team won both series games this year; Marist won 75-70 back in December, rallying back from 11 down in second half. Jaspers won 81-73 on road Feb 13. Marist won last two games, covered four of last five. Manhattan lost five of its last six games overall.

Ohio Valley Conference tournament
Austin Peay upset Tennessee Tech, but didn't overwor their kids, with 92-72 win; Governors are now 5-2 in their last seven games overall. 2-3 in OVC tourney since '10. Tennessee State didn't play in OVC tourney last two years; they won first tourney games by 7-13 last two times it was in. Tigers are 5-2 in last seven games overall; they're #25 in country in experience, #36 at forcing turnovers, forcing 21 miscues a game.

Murray State won five of last six games, with easy win last night- four kids still played 32:00+. Racers are now 8-4 in OVC tourney since '10, winning title in '10/'12- they beat Morehead State 62-57 at home Jan 2, in OVC opener. Morehead won its last five games, is 12-4 in their last 16; Eagles won their first OVC tourney game last seven years, they are 12-5 in this event since 2009, winning it in '09/'11.

[StarDust Bum]

NCAAB

Thursday, March 3

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Trend Report
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5:00 PM
QUINNIPIAC vs. RIDER
No trends available
Rider is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Rider's last 13 games

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MARCH 3, 7:00 PM
BRADLEY vs. LOYOLA OF CHICAGO
No trends available
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Loyola of Chicago's last 12 games
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Loyola of Chicago's last 9 games when playing Bradley

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MARCH 3, 7:00 PM
MEMPHIS vs. TEMPLE
Memphis is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games on the road
Memphis is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Temple is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games
Temple is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games

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MARCH 3, 7:00 PM
MASSACHUSETTS vs. RHODE ISLAND
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Massachusetts's last 6 games on the road
Massachusetts is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Rhode Island is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games when playing at home against Massachusetts
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Rhode Island's last 5 games when playing Massachusetts

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MARCH 3, 7:00 PM
LOUISIANA TECH vs. MARSHALL
No trends available
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Marshall's last 5 games at home
Marshall is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home

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MARCH 3, 7:00 PM
NIAGARA vs. CANISIUS
No trends available
Canisius is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Niagara
Canisius is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games

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MARCH 3, 7:00 PM
MIDDLE TENNESSEE vs. FLORIDA ATLANTIC
Middle Tennessee is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Florida Atlantic
Middle Tennessee is 8-13-2 ATS in its last 23 games on the road
Florida Atlantic is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Florida Atlantic's last 10 games

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MARCH 3, 7:00 PM
GEORGIA vs. SOUTH CAROLINA
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Georgia's last 5 games when playing on the road against South Carolina
Georgia is 6-12 SU in its last 18 games when playing on the road against South Carolina
South Carolina is 20-1 SU in its last 21 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of South Carolina's last 7 games at home

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MARCH 3, 7:00 PM
ILLINOIS vs. MARYLAND
Illinois is 2-10 SU in its last 12 games on the road
Illinois is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Maryland
Maryland is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Illinois
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Maryland's last 6 games when playing Illinois

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MARCH 3, 7:00 PM
UAB vs. FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL
UAB is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
UAB is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games on the road
Florida International is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Florida International's last 5 games at home

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MARCH 3, 7:30 PM
ARKANSAS-LITTLE ROCK vs. APPALACHIAN STATE
Arkansas-Little Rock is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Appalachian State is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Appalachian State's last 7 games at home

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MARCH 3, 8:00 PM
GEORGIA SOUTHERN vs. LOUISIANA-MONROE
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Georgia Southern's last 9 games on the road
Georgia Southern is 4-12 SU in its last 16 games on the road
Louisiana-Monroe is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Louisiana-Monroe's last 12 games

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MARCH 3, 8:00 PM
CHARLOTTE vs. RICE
Charlotte is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Rice is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games
Rice is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games

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MARCH 3, 8:00 PM
OLD DOMINION vs. NORTH TEXAS
Old Dominion is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Old Dominion is 6-12-1 ATS in its last 19 games on the road
North Texas is 4-9 ATS in its last 13 games
North Texas is 4-9 SU in its last 13 games

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MARCH 3, 8:15 PM
GEORGIA STATE vs. LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE
Georgia State is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Georgia State's last 12 games on the road
Louisiana-Lafayette is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games
Louisiana-Lafayette is 11-1 SU in its last 12 games at home

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MARCH 3, 8:15 PM
SOUTH ALABAMA vs. TEXAS-ARLINGTON
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of South Alabama's last 13 games on the road
South Alabama is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Texas-Arlington's last 7 games
Texas-Arlington is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games

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MARCH 3, 8:30 PM
TROY vs. TEXAS STATE
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Troy's last 5 games on the road
Troy is 2-8 SU in its last 10 games on the road
Texas State is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games
Texas State is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games at home

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MARCH 3, 9:00 PM
CINCINNATI vs. HOUSTON
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Cincinnati's last 17 games on the road
Cincinnati is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Houston's last 5 games when playing Cincinnati
Houston is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Cincinnati

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MARCH 3, 9:00 PM
CONNECTICUT vs. SOUTHERN METHODIST
Connecticut is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Connecticut's last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Southern Methodist's last 5 games
Southern Methodist is 21-4 SU in its last 25 games

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MARCH 3, 9:00 PM
MARIST vs. MANHATTAN
No trends available
Manhattan is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing Marist
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Manhattan's last 6 games

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MARCH 3, 9:00 PM
NORTH DAKOTA vs. MONTANA
North Dakota is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Montana
North Dakota is 5-11 SU in its last 16 games on the road
Montana is 11-1 SU in its last 12 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Montana's last 8 games

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MARCH 3, 9:00 PM
SOUTHERN MISS vs. WESTERN KENTUCKY
Southern Miss is 2-15 SU in its last 17 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Southern Miss's last 6 games on the road
Western Kentucky is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Western Kentucky's last 5 games at home

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MARCH 3, 9:00 PM
NORTHWESTERN vs. PENN STATE
Northwestern is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Northwestern is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Penn State is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Northwestern
Penn State is 13-5 SU in its last 18 games when playing Northwestern

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MARCH 3, 9:00 PM
CALIFORNIA vs. ARIZONA
California is 2-20 SU in its last 22 games when playing on the road against Arizona
California is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Arizona
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Arizona's last 11 games when playing California
Arizona is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games

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MARCH 3, 9:05 PM
NORTHERN COLORADO vs. MONTANA STATE
Northern Colorado is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Montana State
Northern Colorado is 5-13-1 ATS in its last 19 games on the road
Montana State is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Montana State's last 6 games

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MARCH 3, 9:05 PM
IDAHO STATE vs. EASTERN WASHINGTON
Idaho State is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Eastern Washingto
Idaho State is 4-10 ATS in its last 14 games when playing on the road against Eastern Washingto
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Eastern Washington's last 6 games at home
Eastern Washington is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home

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MARCH 3, 9:30 PM
DRAKE vs. MISSOURI STATE
No trends available
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Missouri State's last 9 games
Missouri State is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games

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MARCH 3, 10:00 PM
WEBER STATE vs. IDAHO
Weber State is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Weber State's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Idaho's last 11 games
Idaho is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games

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MARCH 3, 10:00 PM
HAWAII vs. UC DAVIS
Hawaii is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Hawaii's last 7 games on the road
UC Davis is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of UC Davis's last 9 games

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MARCH 3, 10:00 PM
UC RIVERSIDE vs. SANTA BARBARA
UC Riverside is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
UC Riverside is 8-17 SU in its last 25 games on the road
Santa Barbara is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing UC Riverside
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Santa Barbara's last 8 games when playing UC Riverside

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MARCH 3, 10:05 PM
NORTHERN ARIZONA vs. PORTLAND STATE
Northern Arizona is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Northern Arizona's last 6 games on the road
Portland State is 14-7 SU in its last 21 games when playing at home against Northern Arizona
Portland State is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Northern Arizona

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MARCH 3, 10:05 PM
SOUTHERN UTAH vs. SACRAMENTO STATE
Southern Utah is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Sacramento State
Southern Utah is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Sacramento State's last 7 games at home
Sacramento State is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home

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MARCH 3, 11:00 PM
STANFORD vs. ARIZONA STATE
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Stanford's last 5 games when playing on the road against Arizona State
Stanford is 16-5 SU in its last 21 games when playing on the road against Arizona State
Arizona State is 16-7 SU in its last 23 games at home
Arizona State is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games

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MARCH 3, 11:30 PM
CAL POLY vs. UC IRVINE
Cal Poly is 5-17 SU in its last 22 games on the road
UC Irvine is 16-2 SU in its last 18 games at home
UC Irvine is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games at home