The Bum's Saturday's Best Bets NBA-NCAA !

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NCAA Betting Preview: Georgetown at Villanova

The Big East Conference remains the top league in college basketball, and two top-25 teams collide Saturday when 20th-ranked Georgetown (15-5 straight up, 12-7 against the spread) visits seventh-ranked Villanova (17-3 SU, 10-6-1 ATS).

There are seven Big East teams currently ranked in the Associated Press poll, including three teams in the top 10.

Georgetown presently finds itself in ninth place in the Big East standings after suffering through a three-game conference losing streak. The Hoyas rank second in the country in field goal percentage (.508) and 20th in assists per game (16.4). Coach John Thompson III’s team is 8-3 ATS the past 11 road games, with the ‘over’ also going 8-3.

Villanova finds itself in a four-way tie for second place in the Big East with Connecticut, Louisville and Notre Dame, 1.5 games behind Pittsburgh. The
Wildcats sport a solid 7-1 ATS ledger the previous eight outings overall.

Georgetown has strung together three victories in a row SU and ATS after routing St. John’s Wednesday as a 7 ½-point home favorite, 77-52. The combined 129 points stayed ‘under’ the 136-point closing total, ending a string of back-to-back ‘over’ outings.

The Hoyas took control of the game with a 13-point halftime advantage, 40-27, and finished with advantages in rebounding (37-30) and assists (21-9). Georgetown shot a blistering 51 percent (26-of-51) from the field, and 50 percent (9-of-18) from behind the arc. The defense limited the Red Storm to 34 percent (20-of-59) from the field and 27 percent (4-of-15) from 3-point land.

Guard Jason Clark led the Hoyas offense with 16 points and five rebounds, while backcourt-mate Austin Freeman added 14. Forward Julian Vaughn provided nine and eight in the victory, while guard Chris Wright had nine and six assists.

Villanova has alternated SU wins and losses its last four games after falling to Providence Wednesday as 5 ½-point road ‘chalk,’ 83-68. The combined 151 points failed to topple the 157-point closing total, helping the ‘under’ improve to 3-1 the previous four outings. The Wildcats entered the contest fresh off a road victory over third-ranked Syracuse.

Villanova found itself in a nine-point halftime deficit, 34-25, before getting outscored by six points in the second half, 49-43. The Wildcats won the rebounding battle, 48-39, but shot a miserable 33 percent (25-of-77) from the field and 18 percent (4-of-22) from behind the arc.

Guard Maalik Wayns paced the offense with 18 points, while forward Antonio Pena stepped up with 17 and 15 rebounds. They were the only two players to reach double digits in scoring, but guard Dominic Cheek contributed nine and nine in the setback.

Georgetown is 6-1 SU and 5-2 ATS the previous seven meetings with Villanova, while the ‘over’ is 3-1 the past four encounters. These two teams split two games last season, with the home team prevailing each time. The Wildcats won as a 4 ½-point home ‘chalk,’ 82-77, while the Hoyas prevailed as a two-point home favorite, 103-90. The ‘over’ cashed both times.

Georgetown forward Julian Vaughn is ‘questionable’ versus the Wildcats due to an ankle injury, while forward Aaron Bowen (shoulder) is ‘out’ for the season. The Hoyas follow this contest with a two-game homestand against Louisville and Providence.

Villanova forward JayVaughn Pinkston has been suspended for the rest of the season. The Wildcats continue a three-game homestand versus Marquette and West Virginia after this contest.

ESPN will provide coverage of Saturday’s matchup beginning at 9:00 a.m. PT from Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.

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Syracuse, Marquette meet in Big East betting clash

Syracuse may be ranked 10th in the country right now but they are going to drop a lot in next week’s Top 25 poll. Syracuse has lost three straight college basketball betting games and is trying to avoid their first four-game losing streak in five years.

The Orange would seem to have a good chance of ending their losing streak on Saturday against a Marquette team that is also struggling.

Check out the current line for this game at *** Global.com.

Syracuse is 18-3 but all three of their losses have come in the past two weeks and all were in the Big East. The first loss at Pittsburgh was somewhat understandable but the last two games at home against Villanova and Seton Hall were unacceptable.

The Orange were blown out by the Pirates in a 90-68 loss on Tuesday that was the worst loss at home for Syracuse in more than 10 years. Syracuse has struggled on defense but they are also struggling on offense. Starting guards Scoop Jardine and Brandon Triche have been terrible lately combining to shoot 31.7 percent during the losing streak.

Marquette is now squarely on the NCAA Tournament bubble and badly needs a big win at home. The Golden Eagles have blown leads in their last three games and lost against Louisville, Notre Dame and Connecticut.

Marquette is just 1-7 against ranked teams this season and that is not a resume for making the NCAA Tourney. They get two big chances in the next few days as they host Syracuse on Saturday and then go to Villanova on Wednesday.

Marquette has never beaten Syracuse in Big East play going 0-4. Last year it was Syracuse winning 76-71 in the only meeting between the teams.

Here are more basketball betting stats for Saturday’s game:

•The Orange are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 road games.
•Syracuse is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 Big East games.
•The Orange are 2-6 ATS in their last eight Saturday games.
•The Golden Eagles are 7-2 ATS in their last nine games overall.
•Marquette is 6-2 ATS in its last eight versus the Big East.
On the totals board, the 'over' is 4-1 in Syracuse’s last five overall and 4-1-1 in Syracuse’s last six road games. The 'over' is 13-6-1 in Syracuse’s last 20 Saturday games. The 'over' is 36-15 in the Golden Eagles' last 51 Saturday games.

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NCAA Betting Preview: Missouri Tigers at Texas

If you had to treat NCAA basketball betting action like the stock market, there is no doubt that the Texas Longhorns would be like Berkshire Hathaway at the moment. They are coming off a game in which they pulled out the virtually impossible task, beating the Kansas Jayhawks at Allen Fieldhouse, and they survived their first test after that as well, a triumph over the Oklahoma State Cowboys in Stillwater.

Though they're back at home, they've got a totally different type of test in front of them on the NCAA basketball odds Saturday, as they have to take on the Missouri Tigers. Tip-off from the Frank Erwin Events Center in Austin, TX is set for 6 p.m. (PT), and the game can be seen live on the ESPN family of networks.

Missouri only has three losses this year, and two of them are on the road. Still, there is no doubt that this is a team that has absolutely no fear about leaving the comfort of its home court to get the job done. The Tigers have 17 wins and realize that they can crack the Top 10 if they knock off Texas and pull off the college basketball betting upset on Saturday night.

The Tigers fly high, averaging 85.0 PPG this year, and they create a ton of offense off of their pressure defense. They won't give up, regardless of what the score is, and they aren't afraid to try to blow you out of the water early and late.

An 87-54 win over the upstart Iowa State Cyclones was very impressive earlier this week, as all five starters scored double digits in spite of the fact that none of them played for more than 24 minutes.

This is something to get used to with Mizzou though, as you can really see any combination of about 10 players on the court that can all score and play great defense. Marcus Denmon is leading the way in scoring at 17.2 PPG, and is one of the four players on this team shooting at least 50.0 percent from the floor. Ricardo Ratliffe is putting up 11.8 points and dragging down a team-high 7.0 boards on the average night as well.

Texas knows that it is going to need its best defense to win this game, something that it had for almost the full 40 minutes against Kansas last weekend. The 'Horns are allowing just 60.6 PPG this year and holding teams to just 36.8 percent shooting from the field.

Offensively, Texas hasn't really excelled on this five-game winning streak, only breaking the 75-point barrier once in that stretch (against the lowly Texas Tech Red Raiders). But don't confuse this team as one that doesn't have a ton of offensive firepower.

Jordan Hamilton is one of the top players in the nation, and he never seems to have an off night. He has averaged 18.2 PPG and 8.7 RPG over the course of the Longhorns' last six games, and he is capable of putting up 25+ points on any team in America.

Missouri has won three straight both SU and ATS in this series. The Tigers are also 7-2 ATS in their last nine NCAA basketball wagering wars overall, 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games played on Saturday. Don't be surprised if all of this holds true once again this week, as the Tigers have the ability to spring this tremendous upset in the Big XII.

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NCAA Odds: Blue Devils, Red Storm meet at MSG

Steve Lavin and the St. John's Red Storm asked for it. An amazingly tough 10-game stretch comes to an end at Madison Square Garden this Sunday when Lavin's lads take up arms – and legs and brains – with Mike Krzyzewski and the Duke Blue Devils.

Tip should come a few minutes after 10 a.m. (PT) with CBS providing the broadcast.

St. John's (11-8 straight up, 6-11 against the spread) opened Big East play with a couple of tough, well-played road wins at West Virginia and Providence. When the Red Storm followed up on that with an upset versus then-No. 13 Georgetown, 61-58 as two-point pups, they had everyone's attention.

Since then, things have fizzled to put it nicely. St. John's enters this one 1-5 both SU and ATS in its six matchups following the win over the Hoyas at the start of January, and Lavin's inauguration into the Big East continues.

Georgetown exacted revenge for the Jan. 3 loss when the Hoyas took it to the Red Storm this past Wednesday at Verizon Center in DC, 77-52. Favored by 7½, Georgetown continued its surge with a third-straight win both straight up and against the spread while dumping St. John's to its third consecutive loss on the floor and at the window.

Duke (19-1 SU, 10-9 ATS) is coming off its fourth consecutive win following its only setback of the season at Florida State a couple of weeks ago. The Blue Devils blasted Boston College on Thursday evening, 84-68, just missing the 17-point chalk cover. The 'over' 150 cashed for Duke backers, leaving bettors 11-8 to the high side of the NCAA odds.

Nolan Smith topped the Duke box score with 28 points, making good on 10 of his 20 field goal attempts (1-for-3 from beyond the arc). Seth Curry added 20, hitting five of his seven from three-point range.

The Blue Devils also picked up 10 steals in the win over the Eagles, four by Miles Plumlee in 14 minutes off the bench. That was about all the Duke bench contributed, however, with no scoring added to the attack by the non-starters.

The Red Storm played a decent game for the final 20 minutes last season when they traveled to Durham in December 2009 to face the Blue Devils. Closing as a 17-point underdog, St. John's battled back from a 16-point halftime disadvantage for the cover in the end when Duke left the floor with an 80-71 triumph.

The season before that, St. John's also covered in a 76-69 loss to Duke who was 14-point chalk. Again it was a second-half surge that provided the winning tickets for Red Storm backers, with the Blue Devils owning an 11-point lead at the half.

This is a game that Duke probably catches a break by playing in the Garden as opposed to having to take on the Red Storm on their campus at Casa Carnesecca. St. John's would certainly stand a better chance for the outright upset on its own floor instead of a big stage like MSG where Duke has played and won before (as in that 76-69 win in Feb. 2009).

Both of the previous meetings went over with room to spare, but in the 136-139 range. I expect this one to open in the mid-140s at least and still lean to the high side in advance of the numbers coming out with Duke scoring 80+ at the end.

Duke will return to ACC action with a trip to Maryland on Groundhog Day. The Blue Devils then host their triangle rivals North Carolina State (Feb. 5) and North Carolina (Feb. 9).

St. John's heads back into Big East play for one game on Feb. 2 when Rutgers comes to Carnesecca Arena before skipping right back off the conference slate with a trip west to face UCLA on Feb. 5.

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NCAA Betting: Kansas State at Kansas Jayhawks

The No. 6 Kansas Jayhawks have a 1-5 spread record in their last six games, with the ‘total’ splitting at 3-3. Bill Self’s squad hosts Saturday’s matchup against the Kansas State Wildcats, who have seen the ‘under’ cash at 4-1 in their last five contests.

Kansas escaped with Tuesday’s 82-78 win as a 7 ½-point road favorite against the Colorado Buffaloes. The Jayhawks allowed Colorado to drain 9-of-13 three-point shots, while sizably clinching the battle for rebounds, 35-19.

Jayhawks guard Josh Selby notched team-highs of 17 points and five assists. The freshman suffered an ankle injury during the duel, but is listed as “probable” by DonBest.com to return for Saturday’s game.

Selby’s mate Markieff Morris grabbed a team-high 11 boards, while finishing with six points. The junior forward recorded three turnovers for the third time in five games.

The tight affair’s combined 160 points leaped above the ‘total’ of 153, bringing the ‘over’ to 5-3 in the Jayhawks' last eight games. Both squads united to sink 29-of-35 free throws.

Kansas is 2-5 against the spread in its last seven home dates, with the ‘under’ cashing at 4-3. Morris and Co. have given up a stingy 60.3 PPG in that span.

Kansas State ended a two-game losing streak with Monday’s 69-61 win as a six-point home favorite against the Baylor Bears. The Wildcats were held to 36.5 percent field shooting, while going 25-for-31 at the foul line.

Wildcats guard Jacob Pullen piled in a team-high 17 points, playing 38 minutes. The senior added four boards and two assists, while committing a sizable five turnovers.

Kansas State’s Curtis Kelly and Rodney McGruder each notched a team-high seven rebounds. The duo united for 25 points, with Kelly adding three of his squad’s five steals.

The duel’s combined 130 points ducked ‘under’ the ‘total’ of 138. The Wildcats allowed Baylor to hit 40.4 percent of its field buckets, while outrebounding their rival, 33-23.

Kansas State is 0-6 ATS in its last six games away from home, with the ‘under’ collecting at 5-1. Frank Martin’s crew has been held to 58 PPG in that stretch.

Kansas is 5-1 ATS in its last six meetings against Kansas State, with the ‘over’ going 4-2.

The foes most recently clashed in last March’s Big 12 Conference Tournament championship game, with Kansas winning, 72-64, as a six-point favorite at Kansas City’s Sprint Center. Pullen hit a sparse 1-of-8 from beyond the arc for Kansas State, who allowed the Jayhawks to connect at 44.2 percent from the field.

Saturday’s tip is scheduled for 4 p.m. (PT), with ESPN providing the national television coverage.

Kansas will have two days off before resuming action with Tuesday’s road matchup against the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Kansas State will be idle for three days, returning home for Wednesday’s battle against the Nebraska Cornhuskers

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NBA Odds: Scorching Spurs host Houston Rockets

The San Antonio Spurs are showing no signs of slowing down as they host the Houston Rockets on Saturday night.

The NBA-best Spurs (39-7 straight-up, 27-17-2 against the spread) are in a very strange portion of their schedule. They just finished a three-game road trip at New Orleans, Golden State and Utah, and will head off for nine more (the annual Rodeo Trip) after this game.

San Antonio has played well wherever it has been lately, 10-1 SU (6-4-1 ATS) in its last 11 games. The only clunker was a 96-72 debacle at New Orleans last Saturday, but it rebounded with wins and ‘covers’ at Golden State (113-102) and Utah (112-105).

Defense has been better overall lately, allowing 94 PPG the last 11 games, compared to 96.9 PPG for the season. The offense has decreased in that span at 99.9 PPG versus 104.3 PPG (ranked fifth) for the season.

The ‘under’ is 9-2 in the last 11, although the ‘over’ is 2-0 in the last two.

Coach Gregg Popovich is more comfortable with lower scoring games. He knows that shootout wins are more prevalent in the regular season than in the playoffs, when play slows down.

Popovich has been fortunate with all five starters healthy for every game. He’s done a great job keeping the minutes down for stars Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. They range from 29.4 to 32.9 minutes per game. It helps having a bench that’s four-five deep.

The Spurs have been ridiculous at home at 24-2 SU (14-11-1 ATS). They’ve won 17 straight home games, with the last loss the day after Thanksgiving to Dallas. The ‘under’ is 14-3 in those 17 home games.

Houston (22-26 SU, 24-22-2 ATS) last played Thursday at Dallas, a 111-106 loss as 6 ½-point ‘dogs. The Rockets trailed by 23 points early in the second quarter, but fought all the way back to trail by one (104-103) with under a minute left. The ‘cover’ makes them 3-0 ATS in their last three games.

The 217 combined points scored went ‘over’ the 204 ½-point total. The ‘over’ is 4-1 in Houston’s last five games and 5-0 in its last five road games.

The last five contests have been a microcosm of the Rockets’ season. They’ve scored 109 PPG, but allowed 110.4 PPG (going 2-3 SU). Their season scoring average is 105.3 PPG (ranked fourth), with the defense at 104.8 PPG (ranked 25th).

Part of Houston’s defensive woes are due to lack of effort, but coach Rick Adelman also has a personnel problem. Kevin Martin (23.3 PPG) and Luis Scola (19.3 PPG) are very good scorers, but give up a lot on the other end. Current starting center Chuck Hayes battles hard, but he can only do so much at just 6-foot-6.

The ‘D’ is not likely going to improve much anytime soon. Big man Yao Ming (ankle) is out for the year again. Reserve center Brad Miller (knee) is also out Saturday. The reserve ‘bigs’ left are very inexperienced guys in Jordan Hill and rookie Patrick Patterson.

San Antonio’s only injury is reserve forward Matt Bonner (knee), who is doubtful.

These teams have met once this year (Nov. 6) with San Antonio winning 124-121 at home in OT. Houston ‘covered’ as 6 ½-point ‘dogs and is 8-3 ATS in the last 11 games in San Antonio. The ‘over’ is 4-0 in the last four overall.

The Spurs’ bench has a big edge in this game, with reserve point Aaron Brooks (12.4 PPG) Houston’s only steady contributor. The biggest obstacle for San Antonio could be looking past Houston while thinking about its upcoming odyssey.

Tip-off from AT&T Center is 5:30 p.m. (PT) and will be broadcast locally.

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Stacked Slate

January 28, 2011


Let’s begin our discussion of Saturday’s college hoops slate by tackling Georgia’s trip to Rupp Arena to face Kentucky (15-4 straight up, 8-6 against the spread) in a crucial SEC East showdown. Both of these teams are headed to the NCAA Tournament, but both have plenty of work to do in order to garner a decent seed.

When these teams met at Stegeman Coliseum in Athens on Jan. 8, Georgia (14-5 SU, 7-8 ATS) captured a 77-70 win as a five-point home underdog. Trey Thompkins was the catalyst with 25 points, seven rebounds and a pair of blocked shots. UK freshman Terrence Jones had a team-high 24 points in the losing effort.

Mark Fox’s squad is coming off a gut-wrenching double-overtime loss to Florida on Tuesday night. Thompkins scored on a putback just before the horn to force OT at the end of regulation. Then with the Dawgs nursing a three-point lead, UF’s Ervin Walker buried an off-balanced trey from at least 35 feet out to force the second extra session.

With Georgia in foul trouble in the second OT, the Gators pulled away for a 104-91 win as 2 ½-point road underdogs. The loss dropped UGA into the basement of the SEC East with a 3-3 ledger in league play.

UK is unbeaten in nine home games with a 3-1 spread record. The ‘Cats have watched the ‘under’ go 8-4-2 overall.

The Wynn opened Kentucky as a 12-point favorite. That seems like entirely too many points to me. Remember, Georgia has covered the number in four straight games as a ‘dog this year and is 9-2 ATS in its last 11 games at Rupp.

ESPN will have the telecast of UK-UGA at 4:00 p.m. Eastern.

If Penn State (11-8 SU, 8-6-1 ATS) can notch a few more impressive victories (it has plenty of chances to do so), it will have an intriguing case for the selection committee to consider. The Nittany Lions will take on Wisconsin (15-4 SU, 10-5 ATS) at 4:00 p.m. Eastern on the Big Ten Network.

The Wynn opened the Badgers as four-point road favorites. Bo Ryan’s team will be in search of its four straight win after trashing Northwestern 78-46 as a 1 ½-point road favorite last Sunday.

PSU has played as well as team in the nation the last few weeks. It has taken the cash in five straight outings, winning outright three times. The Lions’ only losses came at Purdue (63-62) on a late jumper by JaJuan Johnson and at top-ranked Ohio St. (69-66). They are coming off a 65-51 win Wednesday over Iowa as eight-point home favorites. The ‘under’ has been a nice combination with PSU as well, cashing in four of its last five outings.

Ed DeChellis’s squad has won outright three times when listed as a ‘dog of four points or more (vs. Illinois, vs. Michigan St. and at Indiana).

One last tidbit for this matchup: Wisconsin owns a 10-2 spread record in its last 12 head-to-head meetings with PSU.

We just mentioned Northwestern’s atrocious performance in Sunday’s 32-point loss at home to Wisconsin. The Wildcats, who are 13-7 SU and 8-6 ATS, fell to 3-6 in the Big Ten when they lost 81-70 Wednesday at Minnesota.

Now their chances of going to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history are looking bleak. Unless, of course, Bill Carmody’s team can step up Saturday and knock off the nation’s lone remaining unbeaten.

Ohio St. (21-0 SU, 10-8 ATS) will bring its No. 1 ranking to Evanston as a 10 ½-point favorite (per Wynn’s opening number, although two offshores had Bucks at 11 ½ early Friday evening). The Buckeyes are 1-2 ATS as double-digit road favorites.

Tip-off on ESPN2 is slated for 6:00 p.m. Eastern.

Kansas State will take on Kansas in Lawrence at 7:00 p.m. Eastern on ESPN. The Wynn opened the Jayhawks as 11-point home favorites. KU has had an emotional week, traveling to Washington D.C. for the funeral of Thomas Robinson’s mother.

Robinson has lost three family members this season, yet he’s returned to the team and will play Saturday.

Texas (17-3 SU, 12-3 ATS) has been the nation’s premier money maker this season, cashing tickets at a frenetic pace. The Longhorns, who have won 11 of their 12 home games, have covered the spread in five consecutive games and eight of their last nine. They will take on Missouri (17-3 SU, 8-7 ATS) as 7 ½-point home favorites.

Missouri has won three of its last four games both SU and ATS, including Saturday’s 87-54 win over Iowa St. as a 10 ½-point home favorite. All five starters scored in double figures for the Tigers, who were paced by Michael Dixon Jr.’s 15 points and eight rebounds.

Mike Anderson’s sq uad has been an underdog just once, losing outright but hooking up its backers in a 91-89 overtime setback at Texas A&M as a five-point ‘dog.

Tip-off in Austin at the Frank Erwin Center is scheduled for 9:00 p.m. Eastern on ESPNU.

**B.E.’s Bonus Nuggets**

--Tom Izzo’s teams are always playing their best basketball in March and he’s enjoyed as much success in the NCAA Tournament as any coach over the last decade and a half. With that in mind, I’m not about to bury this year’s version of the Spartans. However, they had better get on track soon. As a 10 ½-point home favorite Thursday, Michigan ended its six-game losing streak at Breslin Center by knocking off MSU by a 661-57 count. With 10 games remaining, Michigan St. is 12-8 overall and 4-4 in Big Ten play.

--Along with Michigan St., Gonzaga played a brutal non-conference schedule that’ll certainly work in its favor when the selection committee makes its final decisions on the 68-team field. But the Bulldogs are in trouble, too, after a costly home loss Thursday night. Mark Few’s team has now lost three in a row in WCC play following an 81-79 loss to Saint Mary’s as a three-point ‘chalk.’

--TCU has suspended leading scorer Ronnie Moss indefinitely. Moss was averaging 15.6 points, 3.6 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game for the Horned Frogs.

--After winning its first 18 games, Syracuse has suddenly lost three in a row after getting run out of the Carrier Dome by Seton Hall. The Pirates beat the Orange by 22 as 12 ½-point underdogs, hooking up money-line backers with a plus-700 payout (risk $100 to win $700). Jim Boeheim’s team will try to get well as a short underdog Saturday at Marquette.

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Saturday's Early Hoops

January 28, 2011


As January begins to give way to February, we’re starting to see teams find some real estate on college basketball’s bubble for the NCAA tournament. Those programs that are almost assured of a spot in the big dance, however, are looking to improve seeding. We’re going to see a couple of games early on Saturday that have teams looking to boost their resumes for the selection committee.

Louisville at Connecticut – 12:00 p.m. EST, ESPN

Louisville (16-4 straight up, 9-7-1 against the spread) has looked like a team that has the goods to get a relatively high seed as of late. After that miraculous 71-70 win at home over Marquette, the Cardinals are 3-1 SU in their last four games. Gamblers that backed them didn’t really care for them in this stretch as they went 1-3 ATS.

The Cards are coming off of a thrilling 55-54 win over West Virginia on Wednesday night. Peyton Silva nailed the go-ahead shot with just 4.5 seconds left in the game. Silva had 14 points on the evening, but Chris Smith paced Louisville with 15 points and six rebounds. They needed all hands on deck for this game against the Mountaineers, evidenced by the fact that 11 different players were used by Rick Pitino for at least five minutes.

Connecticut (17-2 SU, 10-3 ATS) just keeps rolling this season, beating the Golden Eagles 76-68 as a five-point road “chalk.” Jeremy Lamb put up 24 points in a winning effort, a career high for the freshman. It’s a good thing that Lamb was up to the task as Kemba Walker had a bad night, shooting just 5-for-16 with 14 points and nine assists.

The Huskies are currently listed as 3 ½-point home favorites.

There are two things that I know about the Huskies. One thing I know is Jim Calhoun will never give a dime of his salary back. The other thing is UConn loves playing at home. Connecticut has gone 11-0 SU and 4-1 ATS. The ‘under’ is 4-1 in that stretch as well.

The Cardinals haven’t had too many true road games this season, travelling away from the venerable KFC Yum! Center just four times. They are just 2-2 SU and ATS in those road tests. But Louisville is on an 0-2 SU and ATS run away from home right now. The ‘over’ is 3-1 at this time.

Minnesota at Purdue – 1:00 p.m. EST, CBS

While the Big Ten is more suited to be Ohio State’s personal playground at the moment, there is still room to find out who No. 2 is at the moment. That’s what is at stake on Saturday afternoon in West Lafayette when the Golden Gophers and Boilermakers do battle.

Purdue has been posted as a nine-point home favorite with a total of 137 ½ at most sportsbooks.

Minnesota (16-4 SU, 9-9 ATS) has been one a strong run since the calendar turned over to 2011, going 5-1 SU and ATS. The Golden Gophers are coming off of a 81-70 win against Northwestern as five-point home favorites. They were actually down 34-33 to the Wildcats at halftime, but shooting 53 percent from the field tends to get things done. Blake Hoffarber recorded 20 points, but Trevor Mbakwe was the unstoppable force with 18 points and 14 rebounds.

Purdue (17-4 SU, 10-6 ATS) has been a good team this year, but were outclassed in every way on Tuesday night in an 87-64 beatdown against the Buckeyes as a 7 ½-point road pup. The Boilermakers were outshot 38 percent to 55 percent and lost the rebound battle 39-26. JaJuan Johnson was the lone bright spot for them that night, picking up 22 points and seven boards.

The Boilers will be looking for some revenge in this contest after falling 70-67 to Minnesota back on Jan. 13 as three-point road favorites. Purdue outrebounded the Gophers (34-24), but couldn’t keep them from shooting 53 percent from the field. Hoffarber had his best game of the season that night, scoring 26 points.

Purdue can at least take solace in the fact that they have gone 4-0 SU and ATS in its last four home dates with the Golden Gophers. Totals players should take a serious look at the ‘under’ in this contest as it’s hitting in those four meetings in West Lafayette.

Minnesota is 1-3 SU and 2-2 ATS in its last four road games this season. The Boilermakers are 4-0 SU and 3-1 ATS in their past four home tests at Mackey Arena. The ‘over’ is a combined 5-3 in that stretch between the two teams.

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Kentucky looking for payback against UGA

January 28, 2011


LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) - Kentucky coach John Calipari never hesitates to bring out the whistle during practice when he sees something he doesn't like.

That philosophy changes, however, when the 14th-ranked Wildcats scrimmage. Then the whistle seems to disappear.

``He doesn't care how you get the ball,'' said senior center Josh Harrellson. ``There's no fouls, you can run people over so it's definitely getting us in the right mindset to play.''

It's a mindset Kentucky (15-4, 3-2 Southeastern Conference) lacked during a 77-70 loss at Georgia (14-5, 3-3) three weeks ago, a game in which Calipari says his team was ``mushed.''

The rematch with the Bulldogs is Saturday. Calipari thinks he's seen progress in the interim, but he won't know for sure until the ball goes in the air.

``It'll be a test,'' Calipari said. ``Have we gotten better? Have we gotten tougher? Can we play through bumps? Can we physically score in the post when they're letting us shoot it? Can we make a basket from two feet?''

Even that proved to be a challenge during the first meeting. The Bulldogs bullied the young Wildcats all over the floor, closing quickly whenever Kentucky attacked the lane. Rather than finish, Calipari said his players became tentative, shying away from contact or hoping to get bailed out by a referee's whistle.

It led to an disheartening defeat, the first time the Wildcats have been truly manhandled by a conference opponent during Calipari's two-year tenure.

Forward Darius Miller in particular drew the wrath of his coach after going just 2-of-11 from the floor, most of the misses coming from in close when Miller opted to fade away when a defender charged him rather than try to get to the rim.

Miller has responded by playing some of the best basketball of his career, scoring double figures in four straight games including a season-high 18 against South Carolina last weekend. While Miller won't say the tongue-lashing from his coach is the key to his turnaround, he allows he's playing at a higher level.

``I did have a pretty bad game'' against Georgia, Miller said. ``In my opinion we've all gotten better throughout the year.''

The Wildcats would like to think they've gotten tougher. They were dominant for long stretches while beating the Gamecocks on the road last Saturday, though South Carolina won't pose the same challenges brought on by Georgia and star forward Trey Thompkins.

Thompkins lit the Wildcats up for 25 points and seven rebounds on Jan. 8 and his teammates seemed to feed off his aggression. Georgia didn't back down from Kentucky and isn't likely to do it on Saturday as it tries to end the nation's second-longest home winning streak at 28 games.

``We kind of let (Thompkins) do whatever he wanted to,'' Miller said. ``He got all the shots he wanted to have. We've got to try and disrupt his game a little bit.''

It's one of the reasons why practice has been a little more physical than usual over the last couple weeks. Yet for all of Calipari's whistle-swallowing during scrimmages there's only so far he can push.

Kentucky is only six players deep. And without depth, allowing things to get out of hand during practice and the season can take a disastrous turn.

So as much as he prods he also has to cajole. Calipari isn't sure whether he has done enough.

``After the game we'll say 'boy we got better' or 'we're the same guys,''' Calipari said. ``It will be one of the two.''

He's hoping for the former, if only because it will make dinner on Saturday night more enjoyable.

Longtime friend and mentor Larry Brown has spent the last few days with Calipari watching the Wildcats practice. Kentucky practiced so poorly on Thursday Calipari asked Brown not to bring it up at dinner until just before dessert arrived.

Calipari, laughing, said he hold him ``'We can ruin dessert ... you can talk to me about this practice.'''

The 70-year-old Brown, who stepped down as head coach of the Charlotte Bobcats last month, hasn't just stood idly by either. Harrellson said he's stopped players in the middle of a drill to get their attention and correct mistakes.

``It's great advice,'' Harrellson said. ``He said just go for every rebound and do what it takes to get it.''

[StarDust Bum]

Ivy League Angles

January 27, 2011

Poison Ivy

With the college basketball season now in full conference swing, let’s examine a handicapping theory that yields a much better return on your investment than the banks these days.
It deals with teams playing back-to-back days without rest during the regular season. For the most part it pertains largely to Ivy League games, noted for playing back-to-back contests on Friday and Saturday nights.

What we’re looking to target on is how teams fare the second night of these affairs.

According to our powerful database the worst role for these teams is as double-digit home favorites, where they are just 49-80-3 ATS overall since the 1990-91 season.

Digging deeper, if these tired hosts have lost two or more home games this campaign they dip to 30-48-2 ATS.

Worse, put these two-time losers up against a foe that was a dog of 16 or more points in its last game and they break out in hives real fast, going 6-22 ATS, including 0-12 ATS since 2003.

You will need to break out the calamine lotion whenever an unrested double-digit home favorite that owns a win percentage of less than .590 on the season takes the court. These irritated hosts, who have lost at least two home games and are taking on a team that took at least 16 points in its previous game, lose the scratch at an alarming rate, going 1-15 ATS.

Keep an eye on this theory throughout the end of the Ivy League season this year. And if by any chance you feel a sudden tingle coming on, don’t scratch it. Simply apply the proper antidote.

[StarDust Bum]

Even at 21-0, Buckeyes wary of all comers

January 28, 2011


COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - If anyone gets the idea that being unbeaten and No. 1 means life is all sunshine and lollipops for Ohio State coach Thad Matta, think again.

Matta worries about everything. He worries about opponents, of course, but more about what's going on in the heads and hearts of his own players. Oh, and he also worries about the weather, food, injuries, conditioning, academics, defense, offense and a thousand other things.

Whether a team is 21-0, as are the Buckeyes, or 0-21, to Matta there is always something lurking out there that can get in the way of winning the next game. That was evident by a recent exchange between the Ohio State basketball and football coaches.

``Coach (Jim) Tressel and I were texting a week or so ago,'' Matta said Friday. ``I can't remember what he said, but I said, 'Be thankful you've only got 13 of these.'''

For meticulous, micro-managers like Matta, there is never anything so small that it couldn't screw up a game or season. He is constantly on the lookout for the next impediment to a win.

``It's 'How much rest? Are they getting the right nutrition?''' Matta said of his players. ``You're trying everything that you can. I was nervous before the Illinois game because we ate bar food at Hoolihan's. I'm looking over and saying, 'This can't be good.' But I guess we were OK.''

Yes, the Buckeyes (8-0 Big Ten), the last Division I unbeaten, have been OK, to say the least. They overcame the chili-cheese fries and chicken fingers to win at No. 23 Illinois, 73-68. They've won close games against not-so-good teams and then they've rolled past quality opponents such as No. 12 Purdue, which they routed 87-64 on Tuesday night.

Next up is Northwestern. The Wildcats (13-7, 3-6) may not look imposing to a lot of fans, but they're downright scary - particularly when playing at home - to Ohio State.

After all, they've been told by Matta that every opponent is a contender, every player on the other team can embarrass you and every lackadaisical effort is an opportunity for a defeat.

Freshman Deshaun Thomas, instant offense for the Buckeyes off the bench, has been taught to trust nothing but hard work and your teammates.

``I learned from what coach Matta said, 'Don't worry about what everybody says that is good,''' he said. ``We're trying to win a national championship. We've got to get there. That's our goal.''

Matta, perhaps mirroring the fears that he has put in his players, says they've told him how dangerous Northwestern can be.

``Our guys said it - the last time we played there we lost on a last-second shot,'' he said, referring to a 72-69 loss at Welsh-Ryan Arena on Feb. 18, 2009. ``Our guys have tremendous respect (for them). Honestly, now that we've been through this and we've had the ups and downs throughout the course of games, our guys understand now that this is for real: On any given night, if we don't play well, we're not going to like the outcome.''

The coach and his Buckeyes aren't taking the Wildcats lightly even though they might be without their best player. John Shurna - fourth in the Big Ten in scoring at 19 points a game - suffered a head injury when he was knocked into the basket support during a loss to Minnesota on Wednesday night.

He returned to the game after the injury, but in these days of heightened awareness of concussions no one knows for certain if he'll be available on Saturday night.

``He said he just didn't feel right,'' Northwestern coach Bill Carmody said.

It was Shurna who hit that last-second shot - actually a fallaway 3-pointer with 3.3 seconds left - to beat the Buckeyes the last time they went to Evanston, Ill. Carmody said at Friday's practice that Shurna's availability would be determined on Saturday.

In a year of upsets in the Big Ten, Matta doesn't have to remind his players about what happens on a night when one team overlooks another, or when the underdog has a hot hand.

``We appreciate it,'' shooting guard William Buford said of the Buckeyes' perfect record. ``If we didn't appreciate it, I think we would stop working as hard as we are right now. We'd just be complacent. But we're not doing that.''

Matta did a round of media interviews by telephone on Thursday. What he heard back from reporters was how good his team is, how invincible they should be against certain teams. Then he met with his players and warned them not to fall for any of it.

``It's one of those things that that comes with the territory and you'd better handle it,'' he said. ``I said, 'We can't change who we are. Let's just be who we are, have a good practice and get ready for Northwestern.' I think they understand what I'm saying.''

[StarDust Bum]

Rebuilding tough for Big Ten's bottom 3

January 28, 2011


IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) - Tom Crean came to Indiana after five NCAA tournament trips and a Final Four appearance at Marquette. John Beilein won 73 games in his final three seasons at West Virginia, and Iowa's Fran McCaffery was the only coach in the country to lead his team to three straight regular season and conference tournament titles while at Siena.

All three have hit a wall in the top-heavy Big Ten.

Indiana, Michigan and Iowa are the three worst teams in one of the nation's best leagues. The Hoosiers, Wolverines are 2-6 in the Big Ten and the Hawkeyes are last at 1-7, seemingly stuck behind a slew of powerhouse programs led by marquee coaches with well-established roots.

The strength and stability of programs like Ohio State, Michigan State, Purdue, Wisconsin and Illinois have made the challenge of cracking the top half of the Big Ten tougher than maybe any league outside of the Big East.

The top six teams in the Big Ten standings were in this week's AP Top 25, from the top-ranked Buckeyes to the 25th-ranked Spartans.

``There's leagues out there that are very cyclical. This is not, over time, proven to be a cyclical league,'' Beilein said. ``For the most part, the coaching situations have stayed stable, and they've been able to get to the top and the rest of us are fighting for the sixth or seventh spot.''

The head coaches at the top six schools in the Big Ten have a combined 51 years of experience at their current schools. Crean, Beilein and McCaffery have just eight.

``There's rebuilding, and then there's what we've been doing the last three years, and it comes at a really bad time when you have the league as strong as it's been over a period of years,'' Crean said.

Beilein took the Wolverines to the NCAA tournament in just his second season in Ann Arbor - with fired coach Tommy Amaker's players - but the good times haven't lasted.

Michigan, which has only been to the tournament once since 1998, dipped to 15-17 last year and have drifted even further behind this season. The young Wolverines dropped six straight before Thursday night's 61-57 victory at Michigan State.

Crean inherited a program rocked by Kelvin Sampson's damaging stint in Bloomington and went just 16-46 the past two seasons.

Many thought this would be the year the Hoosiers would begin to show progress, but injuries have exposed depth issues common in most rebuilding efforts.

Sophomore guard Maurice Creek, who started 13 games this season and was averaging 8.3 points, recently had surgery to fix a stress fracture on his right knee. Starting guard Verdell Jones III, who ranked second on the team with 12.9 points per game and led them in assists, has missed the last two games with inflammation in his right knee that could keep him out indefinitely.

Indiana has some talented recruits in the pipeline, led by 2011 blue chip power forward Cody Zeller and a host of verbal commitments for 2012.

For now, the Hoosiers appear headed for yet another frustrating season - though they did snap a 19-game losing streak against Top 25 teams Thursday night by beating No. 20 Illinois 52-49 at home.

``We're not equipped yet to just plug somebody in, and then have somebody plug in to that backup's role and say 'OK, we're not going to miss a beat.' And I think that's the hardest thing about rebuilding,'' Crean said. ``Your margin for error in the games is so small ... it's very hard to overcome injuries, things like that when you don't have it built up yet the way it needs to be.''

McCaffery may be in the toughest spot of all.

Iowa slipped into irrelevance during coach Todd Lickliter's three-year tenure, losing 20 games for the first time last season.

McCaffery is doing his best to squeeze all the wins he can out of this season while building for the future. Much like Michigan's commitment to bolstering its facilities and fixing up aging Crisler Arena, the $47 million that Iowa is pouring into renovations to Carver-Hawkeye Arena should help the Hawkeyes compete for recruits they've been losing to more successful schools like Wisconsin.

The Hawkeyes finally broke through with their first Big Ten win on Sunday - against Indiana. Perhaps the most encouraging sign from that 91-77 win was that nearly half of Iowa's points came from freshmen.

``What you have to do is focus on your own team and try to get better, try to develop your younger players and, obviously, aspire to be one of the better teams in the league and compete with those teams,'' McCaffery said.

[StarDust Bum]

No. 6 Kansas hoping to return to normal

January 28, 2011


LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) - A big game in Allen Fieldhouse against an archrival is just what Kansas needs.

After a week in which the sixth-ranked Jayhawks played two tough games, traveled through three time zones and supported two grieving teammates, getting back on the court will help restore a semblance of normalcy.

Thomas Robinson will be in uniform for Kansas (19-1, 4-1 Big 12) and probably play against Kansas State on Saturday, two days after his teammates and coaches attended a funeral service for his mother.

Going to the service for Lisa Robinson in Washington, D.C., also put the Jayhawks in the middle of the snowstorm that brought the city to a crawl. They were 5 hours late reaching their hotel Wednesday and then delayed again Thursday on the way back to Kansas after the ceremony, arriving home late and going through what turned into a tough practice.

``I was really tired,'' guard Tyshawn Taylor said. ``I didn't sleep too much. It was a long day, a real long day.''

The entire week was a long and sad ordeal for the Jayhawks, beginning with the startling news about 11 p.m. last Friday that Lisa Robinson, a single mother, had died unexpectedly of an apparent heart attack at 43. In a three-week span, Thomas and his 7-year-old sister, Jayla, had lost their grandfather, grandmother and mother.

Most the team and the coaches stayed with their grief-stricken teammate until the wee hours Saturday morning. Then a few hours later, physically and mentally weary, they lost to No. 8 Texas. The defeat ended a 69-game home winning streak that had lasted almost four years.

On Tuesday they played at Colorado. Then on Wednesday they flew into the snowstorm in Washington for an emotionally draining service Thursday.

``We just all wanted to be there for him,'' shooting guard Tyrel Reed said. ``It was nice. It was a tough thing to see and really saddening. But it was the right thing for us to be there.''

Many things remain to be sorted out, including whether Thomas or another family member will get custody of Jayla. In the meantime, money is pouring into a scholarship fund the school has set up for her. Some Kansas families have even offered to adopt her.

Robinson, a promising 6-foot-9 power forward who has started several games for the defending Big 12 champions, played eight minutes against Texas but did not make the trip to Colorado. Coach Bill Self was in his office studying film of Kansas State Friday afternoon when Robinson walked in.

``He got in today and we visited,'' Self said. ``We were sitting there talking about the next move and he was asking me how he can thank people for being so nice with their thoughts and concerns. We talked about that a bit and then he said, 'Now, how do we beat these guys?'

``He'll be in the best shape he possibly can be in and I think that will allow the other players to focus better.''

Freshman guard Josh Selby also will be available. One of his close friends, his mother's godson, was killed Saturday in Baltimore. Only the weather prevented Selby from attending the funeral.

``It's been a long week,'' senior guard Brady Morningstar said. ``The week has been kind of screwy. But it was good to get everything taken care of.''

Self said what his team needs more than anything is to get back to on a regular schedule.

``We need to have a routine that we follow,'' he said. ``I think we're all creatures of habit, so to speak, especially athletes and athletic teams and we haven't had any routine here of late. It will help us to get back to work.''

[StarDust Bum]

Kansas favored by 11 over Kansas State


KANSAS STATE WILDCATS (14-7, 2-4 in Big 12)

at KANSAS JAYHAWKS (19-1, 4-1 in Big 12)


Tip-off: Saturday, 7:00 p.m. EDT
Line: Kansas -11, Total: 144

After seeing its 69-game home winning streak snapped, Kansas will look to start a new one when it hosts Kansas State on Saturday night.

The Jayhawks bounced back from their first loss of the season (at home versus Texas, 74-63) to defeat Colorado, 82-78, on the road Tuesday. Josh Selby (11.8 PPG, 40.0% three-pointers) led four Kansas players in double figures with 17 points on 7-of-14 from the floor, including 3-of-6 from long range. Marcus Morris (17.0 PPG, 6.8 RPG) added 15 points and five boards for his ninth straight game scoring in double-figures and 18th of the season. Morris, who leads the Big 12 in field-goal percentage (59.7%), has averaged 21.2 PPG in his past six games. Twin brother Markieff Morris (12.7 PPG) took only six field-goal attempts (3-of-6) and finished with just six points versus the Buffaloes. But he chipped in with 11 boards for his ninth double-digit rebounding game in 2010-11. He's the conference leader with 8.7 RPG and double-doubles with seven. The Jayhawks average 82.1 PPG (ninth in the nation) and surrender 62.5 PPG for a +19.6 scoring margin. They lead the league in scoring margin (+19.6), field-goal percentage (51.4% for first in the nation) and assists (18.3 APG for third in the nation).

Despite hitting only 36.5% from the field (19-of-52), Kansas State ended a two-game losing streak with a 69-61 win against Baylor on Monday. Jacob Pullen (17.9 PPG, 3.5 APG, 3.4 RPG) and Will Spradling (6.1 PPG) had 17 points apiece, but Pullen continued his recent shooting struggles. He hit just 4-of-13 from the floor and is now shooting 41.5% on the season. In his past six games, in which K-State has lost four, Pullen is 33-for-85 (38.8%). Rodney McGruder (11.2 PPG, 40.5% three-pointers) leads the Wildcats in rebounds with 6.7 per game and had 12 points and seven rebounds against Colorado after a scoreless effort (0-for-4) in the previous game versus Texas A&M. Curtis Kelly, third on the team in scoring with 10.5 PPG, added 13 points and seven boards. The Wildcats average 73.5 PPG and give up 64.6 PPG for a +8.9 scoring margin, but they've scored under 70 in three straight games and five of the past six.

Kansas has won five straight games in the series and has the overall edge against Kansas State, 180-90. The Jayhawks have won 10 of the past 11 meetings and leads the series in games played at Lawrence 81-35, including a 40-18 mark in Phog Allen Fieldhouse. KU has won four consecutive games in the series and 15 of the past 16 matchups in Allen Fieldhouse. It won in overtime in Manhattan last season, 81-79, as Marcus Morris had 13 points and 10 rebounds. The Jayhawks had an easier time at home, winning 82-65 behind Markieff Morris' 10 points and nine boards. They also earned a 72-64 victory in the Big 12 championship game to finish the season sweep of the Wildcats. With KSU a dismal 2-6 ATS in non-home games, expect Kansas to win and cover again.

KU is 23-10 ATS (70%) against its in-state rival since 1997 and the FoxSheets provide another big reason to take the Jayhawks.

KANSAS is 15-3 ATS (+11.7 Units) when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 60% to 80%) after 15 or more games over the last 3 seasons. The average score was KANSAS 78.3, OPPONENT 65.3 - (Rating = 3*).

This five-star FoxSheets trend expects the game to finish Under the total.

KANSAS STATE is 9-0 UNDER (+9.0 Units) vs. top caliber teams - outscoring their opponents by 12+ points/game this season. The average score was KANSAS STATE 65.2, OPPONENT 66.8 - (Rating = 5*).

[StarDust Bum]

Texas goes for 6-0 start in Big 12 hosting Missouri


MISSOURI TIGERS (17-3, 3-2 in Big 12)

at TEXAS LONGHORNS (17-3, 5-0 in Big 12)


Tip-off: Saturday, 9:00 p.m. EDT
Line: Texas -7, Total: 145.5

No. 7 Texas looks to match its longest winning streak of the season when it hosts No. 11 Missouri on Saturday night.

The Longhorns won six straight games from Dec. 11 through Jan. 4 and are coming off a 61-46 rout of Oklahoma State on Wednesday for their fifth consecutive victory. Tristan Thompson (13.1 PPG, 7.4 RPG) led Texas with 14 points, all of which came in the second half, and Jordan Hamilton (19.2 PPG, 7.4 RPG) added 12 points and matched a career-high with 11 rebounds for his fifth double-double of the season and sixth of his career. Thompson is averaging 15.8 PPG, 5.8 RPG and 3.0 BPG, while hitting 58.0% (29-of-50) from the floor in five Big 12 contests. The Longhorns continue to be led by their defense, which held the Cowboys to 32% shooting and their lowest scoring output of the season. Texas has limited its 20 opponents to an average of 60.7 PPG on 36.7% shooting. And in five Big 12 victories, it's surrendered just 53.4 PPG on 37.5% shooting, including a 14-of-70 (20%) mark from three-point range. It will need to be at its defensive best against a Missouri team that's fifth in the nation in scoring (85.0 PPG) and sixth in assists (18.0 APG). The Horns are aiming for their fifth win versus a ranked opponent this season. Texas is 4-2 versus teams which were ranked in the Top 25 when they played them.

Missouri is coming off consecutive double-digit victories over Kansas State (75-59) and Iowa State (87-54). Ricardo Ratliffe (11.8 PPG, 7.0 RPG) scored 12 points, had six boards and matched a career-high with six blocks versus the Cyclones, while Michael Dixon (10.9 PPG, 4.6 APG, 37.9% three-pointers) finished with 15 points and eight rebounds on 6-of-11 shooting, including 3-of-6 from long range. Leading scorer Marcus Denmon (17.3 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 49.1% three-pointers, 2.0 SPG) added 13 points, five boards and four steals. Denmon is averaging 18.3 points over his past four contests and is shooting 50% from the floor and 50% (9-of-18) from three-point range during that stretch. The Tigers are 2-2 versus teams that were ranked in the Top 25 when they played them. They beat Kansas State and Illinois and lost in overtime to both Georgetown and Texas A&M. Mizzou also owns an 85-82 OT victory over Vanderbilt, which is ranked now but wasn't ranked when they matched up in December.

Texas holds a slight 11-10 edge in the all-time series with Missouri and is 9-4 against the Tigers in the Rick Barnes era. The Longhorns have a 5-3 advantage in games played in Austin, but Missouri has won the past three games overall versus Texas. The Tigers were victorious in last season's meeting in Columbia, 82-77, as Dixon scored 13 points off the bench. However, the Longhorns have one of the best ATS records in the nation at 12-3, including a perfect 5-0 ATS mark in Big 12 play. Expect Texas to stay unbeaten in conference and cover the spread on Saturday.

The FoxSheets provide three reasons to take the Longhorns.

TEXAS is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) versus good shooting teams - making >=45% of their shots this season. The average score was TEXAS 74.9, OPPONENT 61.9 - (Rating = 3*).

Play On - Favorites of 3.5 to 9.5 points (TEXAS) - after 3 straight wins by 10 points or more against opponent after leading in their previous game by 15 or more points at the half. (117-68 since 1997.) (63.2%, +42.2 units. Rating = 2*).

Play Against - Any team (MISSOURI) - up-tempo team averaging 62 or more shots/game on the season against opponent after 2 straight games - allowing a shooting pct. of 37% or less. (250-167 since 1997.) (60%, +66.3 units. Rating = 2*).

This highly-rated FoxSheets trend sides with the Over on Saturday.

Play Over - Road teams against the total (MISSOURI) - off 2 consecutive home wins by 10 points or more against opponent off 2 or more consecutive road wins.(59-25 since 1997.) (70.2%, +31.5 units. Rating = 3*).