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NCAAB
Write-Up
Saturday's games
20 Things to Look for Saturday
20) Bradley PG Ruffin had been reinstated after his suspension due to domestic violence issue last weekend; Braves whacked Creighton 87-59 two weeks ago, leading by 20 at half, by 38 in second half. Creighton gets #4 seed in MVC if they win here, and will play Bradley again Friday. Braves, who lost nine visits in row to Omaha, are locked into the 4-5 game no matter what.
19) UConn won 11 of last 12 games, is 5-2 vs spread as a home favorite in Big East games, winning at home by 16-16-2-7-6-5. West Virginia won four of last five games, but is 3-4 on road in Big East, with road losses by 13-9-1-22 points. Home favorites are 39-40 vs spread in Big East play. Mountaineers are 1-2 as a Big East road underdog.
18) Texas Tech (+11) lost 73-47 at Texas Jan 26, shooting 36% from floor, 3-13 from arc; Raiders lost last game 98-54 to A&M- their practices since have been, shall we say, intense. Texas is on eight-game win streak, but underdog is 6-1 vs spread in its Big 12 road games ('horns are 0-3 as road favorite). Texas wins on road have been by 2-10-6-5-9 points. Tech's only loss in Big 12 home games was by hoop to Oklahoma.
17) LaSalle won last four games, scoring 82.3 ppg (44-94 from arc-- 46.8%), but they're just 2-4 at home in A-14. URI lost five games in row, allowing 89.2 ppg- they're 2-5 on A-14 road, with wins at Fordham, St Bonaventure. Home teams are 36-41 vs the spread in A-14 games, in underdog-dominated league.
16) Arizona State lost four of last five home games; they're 3-8 since starting out 4-0 in Pac-10- they lost 67-53 in first meeting at USC (+9). Trojans won last three games by 6-28-12, they've won five of last six road games. USC's last six foes shot 24.8% on arc, and thats no coincidence- Trojans are so athletic, they rush their opponents. Pac-10 home sides are 29-43 vs spread.
15) Mississippi State won five of last six games; they're 4-2 on SEC road, losing at Arkansas, Ole Miss, scoring 58-63 points. Florida is 5-1 at home in SEC, losing only to LSU- they are 1-3 vs spread in last four games as favorite. Bulldogs are 0-3 as a SEC underdog this season- favorite covered seven of last nine MSU games. SEC home favorites are 24-26 against the spread.
14) NC-Wilmington (+8.5) won 68-65 at Old Dominion Jan 30th, after trailing by 15 at half; Monarchs were just 7-26 from arc in that game. ODU won last five games, allowing 58.7 ppg in last three- they're 5-3 on CAA road. Seahawks won four of last five games. Teams are tied for 3rd in CAA-- winner here moves up to 3rd, or maybe even 2nd in upcoming conference tourney.
13) St Mary's, Gonzaga are both 11-1 in WCC; winner here is in all probability top seed in conference tourney; Gaels won first meeting 89-85 in OT at home- St Mary's was 26-42 from charity stripe, Zags 12-18. Gonzaga is 3-2 as home favorite, winning at home by 10-8-38-42-33; they've won five in row since St Mary's loss. Gaels scored 55-57 points in their last two losses.
12) Nebraska, Oklahoma State were both buried couple weeks ago, are both hot now; Huskers won last three games, beating K-State, A&M, Oklahoma (allowing 56 ppg)- they're 2-4 on Big 12 road, 2-3 as road dog, winning at Missouri, A&M. Cowboys won last four games, last three by five or less points. The host is 41-32 vs spread in Big 12 conference games this season.
11) Drake had big win at Butler last week, but they've lost three of last four Valley games, so going into conference tourney, it would be nice if they had strong effort in home final for group of seniors who revived Bulldog basketball. Drake won 62-54 at Wichita Dec 29 (+2.5) as Shockers were 9-24 from line, 3-21 on arc. Three of Wichita's last four losses came in overtime.
10) Marquette won, covered last five games, allowing 61 ppg; they scored 80 ppg in last six games, shooting 39.1% from arc. Eagles are 7-1 at home in conference, losing only to Louisville. Georgetown won its last three games, allowing 54.3 ppg- they crushed Marquette 76-58 at home LY (-7.5). Hoyas are just 3-3 in last six conference road games.
9) Washington, Cal could likely play again in two weeks in 8-9 game at Pac-10 tourney; Bears lost six of last seven home tilts, but won 79-75 in Seattle Feb 2 (+3.5), after trailing 33-28 at half. Huskies are 4-3 as Pac-10 road dog (2-5 SU), losing road games by 14-15-15-13-3 points- their road wins are ASU, Oregon State
8) Vanderbilt just played four straight home games; they're on 7-game win streak (5-1 vs spread in last six), but are 2-4 on the SEC road, winning last two, at Georgia, South Carolina. Hogs lost four of last five games, but are 5-1 at home in SEC, losing only to Gamecocks. Arkansas won by 15 at Vandy LY, then in SEC tourney, eliminated Commodores 72-71 (-2.5).
7) Washington State (-4) lost 67-65 in OT at home to Stanford in first meeting, shooting 34.5% from floor, 3-12 from arc, 24-33 from line, turning ball over only four times. Coogs won four in row on road. Stanford won three in row, ten of last 11- they are 2-3-1 vs spread as home favorite, winning at home by 6-4-15-3-29-15-10 pts. Coogs have depth issues with Hamerling out with sprained ankle- can their big guys handle the Lopez twins?
6) Southern Illinois (+5) lost 56-47 at Illinois State Jan 5, making 26% of shots, turning ball over 21 times, but Salukis won four games in row and are 5-1-2 vs spread as home fave. Illinois St won four of last five games, but is 2-4 in last six road contests; they're 2-2 as road dog- all four of their road losses are by 8 pts or less. Missouri Valley home favorites are 35-22 vs spread.
5) Kansas State ended 26-game home losing streak vs Kansas on Jan 30, making 12-26 from arc in 84-75 win, but Wildcats lost last three games, allowing 79 ppg- they've become unbalanced on offense, with no one other than Beasley/Walker scoring at all- they lost last four road games by 3-9-7-6 pts. Jayhawks are 3-3 as Big 12 home favorite, winning by 30-24-35-19-10-24 pts.
4) Texas A&M exploded with huge win over Tech last outing, breaking 3-game skid; Aggies beat Oklahoma 60-52 Feb 2 (-8) in the first meeting (A&M was 23-30 from line, Sooners 8-13); they won three of last four road games. OU scored 45 points in each of last two games, losing both- they've won four of last five at home. Big 12 home favorites are 24-26 vs spread.
3) Davidson goes for perfect 20-0 conference record, visiting a Georgia Southern club they beat 92-67 in the first meeting (-13). Wildcats are 6-3 as SoCon road favorite, winning road games by 11-2-35-22-15-17-12-7-5 pts. Eagles lost two games, giving up 85.5 ppg- they won last six home games. Home underdogs are 14-15 against the spread so far this season.
2) Morehead State was down 19 at half Thursday, rallied to win they're 8-1 at home in OVC, but 3-3 overall in last six contests. Eagles (+17) lost 67-63 at Austin Peay way back on Dec 6, with both teams shooting 50% from floor. Austin Peay is 6-1 in last seven games, but they're 2-3 in last five road games. Morehead is 7-2 vs spread as an OVC underdog this season.
1) Northridge has two-game lead in Big West with three games to play; they beat Irvine 69-64 at home Jan 31 (-8.5), are 6-1 on road in league, losing only at Fullerton. Anteaters won all five Big West home games and covered last three tries as a dog in conference play- they held six of last seven opponents under 60 points. Big West home favorites are 19-19 vs the spread.
Write-Up
Saturday's games
20 Things to Look for Saturday
20) Bradley PG Ruffin had been reinstated after his suspension due to domestic violence issue last weekend; Braves whacked Creighton 87-59 two weeks ago, leading by 20 at half, by 38 in second half. Creighton gets #4 seed in MVC if they win here, and will play Bradley again Friday. Braves, who lost nine visits in row to Omaha, are locked into the 4-5 game no matter what.
19) UConn won 11 of last 12 games, is 5-2 vs spread as a home favorite in Big East games, winning at home by 16-16-2-7-6-5. West Virginia won four of last five games, but is 3-4 on road in Big East, with road losses by 13-9-1-22 points. Home favorites are 39-40 vs spread in Big East play. Mountaineers are 1-2 as a Big East road underdog.
18) Texas Tech (+11) lost 73-47 at Texas Jan 26, shooting 36% from floor, 3-13 from arc; Raiders lost last game 98-54 to A&M- their practices since have been, shall we say, intense. Texas is on eight-game win streak, but underdog is 6-1 vs spread in its Big 12 road games ('horns are 0-3 as road favorite). Texas wins on road have been by 2-10-6-5-9 points. Tech's only loss in Big 12 home games was by hoop to Oklahoma.
17) LaSalle won last four games, scoring 82.3 ppg (44-94 from arc-- 46.8%), but they're just 2-4 at home in A-14. URI lost five games in row, allowing 89.2 ppg- they're 2-5 on A-14 road, with wins at Fordham, St Bonaventure. Home teams are 36-41 vs the spread in A-14 games, in underdog-dominated league.
16) Arizona State lost four of last five home games; they're 3-8 since starting out 4-0 in Pac-10- they lost 67-53 in first meeting at USC (+9). Trojans won last three games by 6-28-12, they've won five of last six road games. USC's last six foes shot 24.8% on arc, and thats no coincidence- Trojans are so athletic, they rush their opponents. Pac-10 home sides are 29-43 vs spread.
15) Mississippi State won five of last six games; they're 4-2 on SEC road, losing at Arkansas, Ole Miss, scoring 58-63 points. Florida is 5-1 at home in SEC, losing only to LSU- they are 1-3 vs spread in last four games as favorite. Bulldogs are 0-3 as a SEC underdog this season- favorite covered seven of last nine MSU games. SEC home favorites are 24-26 against the spread.
14) NC-Wilmington (+8.5) won 68-65 at Old Dominion Jan 30th, after trailing by 15 at half; Monarchs were just 7-26 from arc in that game. ODU won last five games, allowing 58.7 ppg in last three- they're 5-3 on CAA road. Seahawks won four of last five games. Teams are tied for 3rd in CAA-- winner here moves up to 3rd, or maybe even 2nd in upcoming conference tourney.
13) St Mary's, Gonzaga are both 11-1 in WCC; winner here is in all probability top seed in conference tourney; Gaels won first meeting 89-85 in OT at home- St Mary's was 26-42 from charity stripe, Zags 12-18. Gonzaga is 3-2 as home favorite, winning at home by 10-8-38-42-33; they've won five in row since St Mary's loss. Gaels scored 55-57 points in their last two losses.
12) Nebraska, Oklahoma State were both buried couple weeks ago, are both hot now; Huskers won last three games, beating K-State, A&M, Oklahoma (allowing 56 ppg)- they're 2-4 on Big 12 road, 2-3 as road dog, winning at Missouri, A&M. Cowboys won last four games, last three by five or less points. The host is 41-32 vs spread in Big 12 conference games this season.
11) Drake had big win at Butler last week, but they've lost three of last four Valley games, so going into conference tourney, it would be nice if they had strong effort in home final for group of seniors who revived Bulldog basketball. Drake won 62-54 at Wichita Dec 29 (+2.5) as Shockers were 9-24 from line, 3-21 on arc. Three of Wichita's last four losses came in overtime.
10) Marquette won, covered last five games, allowing 61 ppg; they scored 80 ppg in last six games, shooting 39.1% from arc. Eagles are 7-1 at home in conference, losing only to Louisville. Georgetown won its last three games, allowing 54.3 ppg- they crushed Marquette 76-58 at home LY (-7.5). Hoyas are just 3-3 in last six conference road games.
9) Washington, Cal could likely play again in two weeks in 8-9 game at Pac-10 tourney; Bears lost six of last seven home tilts, but won 79-75 in Seattle Feb 2 (+3.5), after trailing 33-28 at half. Huskies are 4-3 as Pac-10 road dog (2-5 SU), losing road games by 14-15-15-13-3 points- their road wins are ASU, Oregon State
8) Vanderbilt just played four straight home games; they're on 7-game win streak (5-1 vs spread in last six), but are 2-4 on the SEC road, winning last two, at Georgia, South Carolina. Hogs lost four of last five games, but are 5-1 at home in SEC, losing only to Gamecocks. Arkansas won by 15 at Vandy LY, then in SEC tourney, eliminated Commodores 72-71 (-2.5).
7) Washington State (-4) lost 67-65 in OT at home to Stanford in first meeting, shooting 34.5% from floor, 3-12 from arc, 24-33 from line, turning ball over only four times. Coogs won four in row on road. Stanford won three in row, ten of last 11- they are 2-3-1 vs spread as home favorite, winning at home by 6-4-15-3-29-15-10 pts. Coogs have depth issues with Hamerling out with sprained ankle- can their big guys handle the Lopez twins?
6) Southern Illinois (+5) lost 56-47 at Illinois State Jan 5, making 26% of shots, turning ball over 21 times, but Salukis won four games in row and are 5-1-2 vs spread as home fave. Illinois St won four of last five games, but is 2-4 in last six road contests; they're 2-2 as road dog- all four of their road losses are by 8 pts or less. Missouri Valley home favorites are 35-22 vs spread.
5) Kansas State ended 26-game home losing streak vs Kansas on Jan 30, making 12-26 from arc in 84-75 win, but Wildcats lost last three games, allowing 79 ppg- they've become unbalanced on offense, with no one other than Beasley/Walker scoring at all- they lost last four road games by 3-9-7-6 pts. Jayhawks are 3-3 as Big 12 home favorite, winning by 30-24-35-19-10-24 pts.
4) Texas A&M exploded with huge win over Tech last outing, breaking 3-game skid; Aggies beat Oklahoma 60-52 Feb 2 (-8) in the first meeting (A&M was 23-30 from line, Sooners 8-13); they won three of last four road games. OU scored 45 points in each of last two games, losing both- they've won four of last five at home. Big 12 home favorites are 24-26 vs spread.
3) Davidson goes for perfect 20-0 conference record, visiting a Georgia Southern club they beat 92-67 in the first meeting (-13). Wildcats are 6-3 as SoCon road favorite, winning road games by 11-2-35-22-15-17-12-7-5 pts. Eagles lost two games, giving up 85.5 ppg- they won last six home games. Home underdogs are 14-15 against the spread so far this season.
2) Morehead State was down 19 at half Thursday, rallied to win they're 8-1 at home in OVC, but 3-3 overall in last six contests. Eagles (+17) lost 67-63 at Austin Peay way back on Dec 6, with both teams shooting 50% from floor. Austin Peay is 6-1 in last seven games, but they're 2-3 in last five road games. Morehead is 7-2 vs spread as an OVC underdog this season.
1) Northridge has two-game lead in Big West with three games to play; they beat Irvine 69-64 at home Jan 31 (-8.5), are 6-1 on road in league, losing only at Fullerton. Anteaters won all five Big West home games and covered last three tries as a dog in conference play- they held six of last seven opponents under 60 points. Big West home favorites are 19-19 vs the spread.
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