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NCAAB
Saturday, December 22
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College basketball Top 25 betting cheat sheet
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If you're looking to get some action down but only have a few minutes to handicap, let our college basketball cheat sheet help you out. We grab the best quick-hitting betting info on each of Saturday’s Top-25 games with odds available.
McNeese State at (19) North Carolina (-22)
The Tar Heels were upset by Texas on Wednesday, giving coach Roy Williams plenty of ammunition for his team as the ACC schedule nears. McNeese State enters having won five straight, including a victory at Texas Tech on Sunday for the school's first-ever win over a Big 12 opponent. North Carolina has allowed five of its last seven opponents to score at least 80, dropping three of those contests.
Temple vs. (3) Syracuse (-10.5)
The Orange has done little wrong through 10 games, averaging 83.4 points and holding teams to 34.5 percent shooting from the field. The Owls have shot just 38.1 percent from the field – 24.4 from 3-point range – over the last four games. Syracuse is 6-1 ATS in its last seven games overall.
Tennessee Tech at (24) Oklahoma State (-22)
The Cowboys will go for their 10th victory in 11 games when they host Tennessee Tech. Oklahoma State has reeled off four double-digit victories since its only loss at Virginia Tech on Dec. 1 and has won its last three by at least 20 points. The Cowboys have already held four opponents under 50 points and do not figure to have much trouble with the Golden Eagles. Tennessee Tech is making the fourth stop of a five-game road trip and is coming off an 81-62 loss at Auburn on Tuesday. Oklahoma State is 6-1-1 ATS in its last eight games overall.
Texas at (19) Michigan State (-10)
Michigan State has won five straight games for the second time this season after a 64-53 win at Bowling Green on Tuesday. The Spartans have held opponents to an average of 50.6 points during their winning streak. Texas may be distracted by the news that guard Myck Kabongo has been suspended for the entire season for an inappropriate relationship with an agent and for reportedly providing inaccurate information to the NCAA. The Longhorns are 0-5 ATS in their last five road games.
Evansville at (25) Butler (-10.5)
The Bulldogs, NCAA Tournament runners-up in 2010 and 2011, knocked the Hoosiers from the unbeaten ranks and the top of the USA Today Top 25 poll with an 88-86 victory in overtime last Saturday for their fifth straight win. While an upset by the Purple Aces doesn't appear likely, Butler can't take Evansville lightly. The Purple Aces, who have won two straight against the Bulldogs, are on a two-game winning streak following their 103-69 victory over Division II Oakland City on Tuesday. The Purple Aces are 4-1 ATS in their last five road contests.
South Dakota State at (17) New Mexico (-15)
New Mexico will try to extend its home winning streak over non-conference foes to 15. The Lobos, who've outscored opponents by an average of 19.2 points during that run, are 89-4 in such games dating to 2003. South Dakota shot 27 percent from the field- its lowest mark since the 2004-05 campaign – in a blowout loss to Belmont on Wednesday. The Lobos are 5-1 ATS in their last six Saturday contests
Wright State at (11) Cincinnati (-18)
The Bearcats are just one of eight unbeaten teams in Division I and for the second time in three years have started the season with 11 straight wins while Wright State carries a three-game winning streak of its own into this regional showdown. The Bearcats have won eight of their 11 games by 15 or more points and rank fifth in the nation in scoring margin (24.1).
(8) Kansas at (7) Ohio State (-3)
The Jayhawks bring an eight-game winning streak into Saturday’s rematch of last season’s Final Four contest. Kansas has taken the last five meetings but the Buckeyes have an average winning margin of 25.8 points since losing to Duke on Nov. 28. The home team is 4-0 ATS in their last four meetings.
Marshall at (23) Kentucky (-19)
Marshall ranks fourth in the country in offensive rebounds, which may cause Kentucky some problems since the Wildcats are in the middle of the pack in the Southeastern Conference in rebounding. The Wildcats will play for just the second time in two weeks and could be a little rusty. After playing three games over the first eight days of December, Kentucky will take the court just three times over the final 23 days of the month. Marshall is 1-9-1 ATS in its last 11 games overall.
(15) San Diego State vs. San Francisco (+10.5)
San Diego State hopes to have its leading scorer, rebounder, and playmaker Jamaal Franklin back in the lineup after he sat out the romp of Point Loma Nazarene on Tuesday with a lingering back injury. The Aztecs have won 29 straight games against California teams and 22 straight overall in December. San Diego State is 4-1 ATS in its last five games.
(10) Illinois vs. (12) Missouri (-1)
Illinois senior guard Brandon Paul has emerged as one of the best players in the country. Paul is one of just three players to lead his team in points (18.8), rebounds (5.1), assists (3.5) and steals (1.5), joining San Diego State’s Jamaal Franklin and Rice’s Tamir Jackson. The Tigers lead the nation in rebounding (46.1 per game) and opponents are shooting just 35.8 percent against them season. Illinois is 1-5 ATS in its last six Saturday games.
Lafayette at (16) Minnesota (-30)
The Golden Gophers are coming off an 11-day rest since their last game, a 70-57 victory over North Dakota State. The extended break, combined with the Big Ten opener against Michigan State looming next on the schedule, could make Minnesota a potential upset victim. The Leopards probably aren't the team to pull it off; however, as they've lost all six of their road games this season and fell 101-49 in their only other game against a ranked opponent this season (Kentucky). The Golden Gophers are 6-0 ATS in their last six games against an opponent with a losing record.
(9) Florida vs. Kansas State (+9)
The Gators – second in the country in scoring defense – also rank ninth in field-goal defense and are defeating opponents by an average of 23.9 points. Florida has held six of its nine opponents under 50 points. The Wildcats are 0-4 ATS in their last four overall.
Western Kentucky vs. (4) Louisville (-21.5)
The Cardinals have won five straight, including a 79-55 victory over Florida International on Wednesday and appear to be a national championship contender. Louisville is third in the nation in steals (11.9) and has scored 35 percent of its points off turnovers, which doesn't bode well for the Hilltoppers, who average 15.9 giveaways per game. The Cardinals are 10-2 ATS in their last 12 neutral site games.
Canisius at (18) UNLV (-13.5)
The Runnin' Rebels will look for their 10th straight win when they host Canisius. UNLV has to be alert defensively as the Golden Griffins are one of the top 3-point shooting teams in the nation. Canisius has won five of its last six games with its only loss during the streak coming at Syracuse. The Golden Griffins are 5-1 ATS in their last six overall.
(5) Arizona vs. East Tennessee State (-24.5)
The Wildcats are off to their best start since winning their first 12 games in 1987-88. Part of the reason is the play of their talented trio of first-year big men, an area they were woefully thin last season. Grant Jerrett, a 6-10 forward, scored a season-high 15 points Tuesday in an 89-64 win against visiting Oral Roberts. Brandon Ashley, a 6-8 forward, and 7-foot center Kaleb Tarczewski are also playing significant roles. That could be a problem for East Tennessee State, which doesn’t have a player taller than 6-7. The Buccaneers are 10-2 ATS in their last 12 games following a loss.
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Saturday, December 22
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College basketball Top 25 betting cheat sheet
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If you're looking to get some action down but only have a few minutes to handicap, let our college basketball cheat sheet help you out. We grab the best quick-hitting betting info on each of Saturday’s Top-25 games with odds available.
McNeese State at (19) North Carolina (-22)
The Tar Heels were upset by Texas on Wednesday, giving coach Roy Williams plenty of ammunition for his team as the ACC schedule nears. McNeese State enters having won five straight, including a victory at Texas Tech on Sunday for the school's first-ever win over a Big 12 opponent. North Carolina has allowed five of its last seven opponents to score at least 80, dropping three of those contests.
Temple vs. (3) Syracuse (-10.5)
The Orange has done little wrong through 10 games, averaging 83.4 points and holding teams to 34.5 percent shooting from the field. The Owls have shot just 38.1 percent from the field – 24.4 from 3-point range – over the last four games. Syracuse is 6-1 ATS in its last seven games overall.
Tennessee Tech at (24) Oklahoma State (-22)
The Cowboys will go for their 10th victory in 11 games when they host Tennessee Tech. Oklahoma State has reeled off four double-digit victories since its only loss at Virginia Tech on Dec. 1 and has won its last three by at least 20 points. The Cowboys have already held four opponents under 50 points and do not figure to have much trouble with the Golden Eagles. Tennessee Tech is making the fourth stop of a five-game road trip and is coming off an 81-62 loss at Auburn on Tuesday. Oklahoma State is 6-1-1 ATS in its last eight games overall.
Texas at (19) Michigan State (-10)
Michigan State has won five straight games for the second time this season after a 64-53 win at Bowling Green on Tuesday. The Spartans have held opponents to an average of 50.6 points during their winning streak. Texas may be distracted by the news that guard Myck Kabongo has been suspended for the entire season for an inappropriate relationship with an agent and for reportedly providing inaccurate information to the NCAA. The Longhorns are 0-5 ATS in their last five road games.
Evansville at (25) Butler (-10.5)
The Bulldogs, NCAA Tournament runners-up in 2010 and 2011, knocked the Hoosiers from the unbeaten ranks and the top of the USA Today Top 25 poll with an 88-86 victory in overtime last Saturday for their fifth straight win. While an upset by the Purple Aces doesn't appear likely, Butler can't take Evansville lightly. The Purple Aces, who have won two straight against the Bulldogs, are on a two-game winning streak following their 103-69 victory over Division II Oakland City on Tuesday. The Purple Aces are 4-1 ATS in their last five road contests.
South Dakota State at (17) New Mexico (-15)
New Mexico will try to extend its home winning streak over non-conference foes to 15. The Lobos, who've outscored opponents by an average of 19.2 points during that run, are 89-4 in such games dating to 2003. South Dakota shot 27 percent from the field- its lowest mark since the 2004-05 campaign – in a blowout loss to Belmont on Wednesday. The Lobos are 5-1 ATS in their last six Saturday contests
Wright State at (11) Cincinnati (-18)
The Bearcats are just one of eight unbeaten teams in Division I and for the second time in three years have started the season with 11 straight wins while Wright State carries a three-game winning streak of its own into this regional showdown. The Bearcats have won eight of their 11 games by 15 or more points and rank fifth in the nation in scoring margin (24.1).
(8) Kansas at (7) Ohio State (-3)
The Jayhawks bring an eight-game winning streak into Saturday’s rematch of last season’s Final Four contest. Kansas has taken the last five meetings but the Buckeyes have an average winning margin of 25.8 points since losing to Duke on Nov. 28. The home team is 4-0 ATS in their last four meetings.
Marshall at (23) Kentucky (-19)
Marshall ranks fourth in the country in offensive rebounds, which may cause Kentucky some problems since the Wildcats are in the middle of the pack in the Southeastern Conference in rebounding. The Wildcats will play for just the second time in two weeks and could be a little rusty. After playing three games over the first eight days of December, Kentucky will take the court just three times over the final 23 days of the month. Marshall is 1-9-1 ATS in its last 11 games overall.
(15) San Diego State vs. San Francisco (+10.5)
San Diego State hopes to have its leading scorer, rebounder, and playmaker Jamaal Franklin back in the lineup after he sat out the romp of Point Loma Nazarene on Tuesday with a lingering back injury. The Aztecs have won 29 straight games against California teams and 22 straight overall in December. San Diego State is 4-1 ATS in its last five games.
(10) Illinois vs. (12) Missouri (-1)
Illinois senior guard Brandon Paul has emerged as one of the best players in the country. Paul is one of just three players to lead his team in points (18.8), rebounds (5.1), assists (3.5) and steals (1.5), joining San Diego State’s Jamaal Franklin and Rice’s Tamir Jackson. The Tigers lead the nation in rebounding (46.1 per game) and opponents are shooting just 35.8 percent against them season. Illinois is 1-5 ATS in its last six Saturday games.
Lafayette at (16) Minnesota (-30)
The Golden Gophers are coming off an 11-day rest since their last game, a 70-57 victory over North Dakota State. The extended break, combined with the Big Ten opener against Michigan State looming next on the schedule, could make Minnesota a potential upset victim. The Leopards probably aren't the team to pull it off; however, as they've lost all six of their road games this season and fell 101-49 in their only other game against a ranked opponent this season (Kentucky). The Golden Gophers are 6-0 ATS in their last six games against an opponent with a losing record.
(9) Florida vs. Kansas State (+9)
The Gators – second in the country in scoring defense – also rank ninth in field-goal defense and are defeating opponents by an average of 23.9 points. Florida has held six of its nine opponents under 50 points. The Wildcats are 0-4 ATS in their last four overall.
Western Kentucky vs. (4) Louisville (-21.5)
The Cardinals have won five straight, including a 79-55 victory over Florida International on Wednesday and appear to be a national championship contender. Louisville is third in the nation in steals (11.9) and has scored 35 percent of its points off turnovers, which doesn't bode well for the Hilltoppers, who average 15.9 giveaways per game. The Cardinals are 10-2 ATS in their last 12 neutral site games.
Canisius at (18) UNLV (-13.5)
The Runnin' Rebels will look for their 10th straight win when they host Canisius. UNLV has to be alert defensively as the Golden Griffins are one of the top 3-point shooting teams in the nation. Canisius has won five of its last six games with its only loss during the streak coming at Syracuse. The Golden Griffins are 5-1 ATS in their last six overall.
(5) Arizona vs. East Tennessee State (-24.5)
The Wildcats are off to their best start since winning their first 12 games in 1987-88. Part of the reason is the play of their talented trio of first-year big men, an area they were woefully thin last season. Grant Jerrett, a 6-10 forward, scored a season-high 15 points Tuesday in an 89-64 win against visiting Oral Roberts. Brandon Ashley, a 6-8 forward, and 7-foot center Kaleb Tarczewski are also playing significant roles. That could be a problem for East Tennessee State, which doesn’t have a player taller than 6-7. The Buccaneers are 10-2 ATS in their last 12 games following a loss.
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