This is weird week at mid-major level, because Bracket Buster games are Saturday, so week's schedule is mostly Wednesday, so teams have more time to prepare for Saturday's games, which are big for conference RPI. Rare national TV appearances tend to make teams look past mundane conference games.
UConn won last 11 games, with wins at Indiana, Syracuse and Louisville in that stretch. Villanova won last eight games since a 58-55 loss at Texas Jan 14, only other time this season Wildcats were underdog. Last year, Huskies beat Villanova at home, 81-76 (-4.5). UConn is 5-0 on Big East road; they're 20-1 overall, losing only in Big East opener, 94-79 at Marquette.
Green Bay lost 72-66 in OT at Butler 11 days ago, making 5-9 at foul line, compared to 16-21 for Bulldogs, who had +10 TO ratio (8-18). Green Bay is 6-1 at home in Horizon, losing only 66-63 vs Cleveland State. Butler had six-game win streak snapped in OT at Wright State Saturday; they're 2-4 on Horizon road, 2-3 as a home fave, winning at Cleveland St (55-51), UIC (67-39).
South Alabama won 60-57 at New Orleans Jan 14, as UNO hit on just 4-18 treys; Privateers covered four of last five as road dog in Sun Belt; they're 1-5 on road, losing by 19 (Denver), 7 (ULL), 21 (MTSU), 15 (WKU), 4 (Troy). USA lost at home to ULL last game; they're 1-3-1 as home favorite, winning by 4,12,9 points, and losing to WKU. Sun Belt home favorites are 26-22 vs spread
Oklahoma State lost six of last seven games; they're 0-4 against spread at home (1-3 SU) with three of four games decided by a hoop each (six of their 10 Big 12 games were decided by either 1 or 2 pts). Dogs of 3+ pts are 6-2 vs spread in their games this yr. Kansas won last seven games (6-1 vs spread); they're 4-1 on Big 12 road, with all four wins by 10+ pts. Not sure if Sutton will be at this game, after missing Saturday's game due to car accident.
San Francisco lost 71-68 at San Diego Saturday, missing 10 of 25 foul shots, making just 40.4% from floor; Dons are 3-2 at home in WCC, 1-3 in last four games overall. San Diego won five of its last six games, winning last two on road; three of four losses in WCC are by 1 or 2 pts. Road teams are 22-13 vs spread in WCC play so far this season. Last year, USD lost here 87-82, in OT.
St Mary's beat Santa Clara 54-51 in fierce struggle Saturday nite in Moraga; Gaels won third game in last four, despite shooting 33% from floor; they're 2-3 on WCC road. Broncos are 2-8 in WCC, losing last three home games by 13,8,15 pts; they swept St Mary's last year, in year that Gaels won 25 games and made it into NCAA's. Thius is underrated rivalry-type game.
Gonzaga played their hearts out in front of ESPN audience vs a Pac-10 foe Saturday; now they have quick turnaround, go up to Portland to face Pilot squad that covered in 81-64 loss Jan 28 in Spokane (Pilots were 3-18 from arc in that game). Portland lost last five games, all by 10+ pts; they're 0-4 vs spread at home in WCC, losing by 16,14,24 pts. Both their WCC wins came in OT. Zags are 0-6 vs spread in last six conference games
Fresno State is 5-1 at home in WAC, losing only to La Tech, in a OT game; Bulldogs lost 73-65 at Hawai'i Jan 21, shooting 34.4% from floor, missing 24 of 37 treys. Hawai'i got rare mainland win (1-6 this year) at Boise Saturday, their third win in row, scoring 79 ppg in those three games. Fresno is 5-0 in WAC if they score 75+ pts, 0-6 if they don't. Hawai'i allowed 75+ once in 11 games.
Nevada went to Ruston 11 days ago, beat La Tech 65-53; both teams shot less than 38%, with Tech woeful 3-26 from arc. Wolf Pack won five in row (4-1 vs spread) since losing Big Monday home game to Utah State, their only loss in five WAC home tilts (wins by 26,14,18,22 pts). Tech is 4-1 on WAC road, losing only 64-55 at Utah State; they're 3-0 vs spread as a WAC underdog.
Furman won 83-52 at Wofford Jan 9, shooting 58.2% from floor, with +21 edge on boards; it was 48-24 at half. Since then, things changed; Furman lost four of last five games, Wofford won four of five. Paladins are 4-1 at home in league, with wins by 5,4,24,12 pts- they lost at home to Charleston Saturday. Wofford is 2-3 on road, losing by 18 (Davidson), 16 (Ga Southern), 11 (UT-Chat).
Georgia Southern won last five games, scoring 87 ppg last three they beat Charleston 71-68 Jan 9, rallying from 34-27 deficit at half. Eagles were -21 on boards, +11 in turnovers in that contest. Charleston won five of last six games, is 8-4, 4-1 at home, with wins by 13,12,14,11 pts (they lost to Davidson). Cougars are 0-4 if they allow 70+ pts; Eagles scored 70+ in five of last six games
Elon is 2-3 in last five games, after 6-0 start in league; they beat Chattanooga 92-74 on road Jan 9, making 16-30 treys and 54.4% of their shots from floor. Moccasins won five of their last seven games and last two on road; their last four losses are all by 14+ pts. Elon is 2-3 as home favorite, winning by 6,6,2,4,11,7 pts, but they're still 6-0 SU at home (they lost last three road games).
Western Carolina is 3-1 at home in league; they lost 68-53 Jan 9 at Appalchian State, shooting 29.7% from floor, 5-24 from arc. Catamounts covered their last three games, are 3-1 as home fave ASU snapped three-game losing streak Saturday; they're 1-4 on Southern Conference road, losing by 6 (Elon), 2 (Greensboro), 11 (Charleston) and 12 (Furman) pts (1-3 as road underdog).
Senior Night at Niagara, for Eagle club that won four of last five games, and last three at home; they beat Manhattan 67-51 down at Draddy ten days ago, as Jaspers shot 3-23 from arc. Fourth road game in six nights for Jaspers, who lost at Canisius in last game, but are 5-3 on MAAC road, 3-1 in last four. Niagara is 5-1 vs spread in last six games, covering last four home games.
Canisius won 76-67 at Marist Jan 5, game that made Foxes 0-3 in MAAC; they're 9-6 now, winners in nine of last 11 games, 4-1 in last five on road. Marist led 31-25 at half in the Jan 5 game; they were 7-26 from arc in for game. Canisius is 5-10 in league, 2-8 in last 10; they're 3-5 at home, winning last two; they beat Jaspers 86-75 Saturday. MAAC home underdogs are 4-9 vs spread.
Citadel is 0-11 in league, 1-4 as home dog, losing 83-65 (Georgia Southern), 67-52 (Wofford), 65-46 (UNC-G), 66-65 (App State), 74-64 (Ot) (UT-Chat); they're 2-5 vs spread in last seven games overall. Davidson is 2-3 last five games after a 5-1 start; they are 2-3 as road favorite, winning by 33 (App St), 10 (Charleston) in five games. Davidson won first meeting 85-49 at home Jan 9th.
Tennessee State is 6-2 at home in OVC; they lost 70-63 Feb 4 at Austin Peay, as Governors shot 53.3% from floor, outscored the Tigers 16-8 from foul line (16-24/8-11). Peay covered its last five games (4-1 SU); they're 2-5 on OVC road, winning at E. Illinois and SE Missouri, two poor teams (0-3 as road dog). Both sides are playing third game in last five nights.
UConn won last 11 games, with wins at Indiana, Syracuse and Louisville in that stretch. Villanova won last eight games since a 58-55 loss at Texas Jan 14, only other time this season Wildcats were underdog. Last year, Huskies beat Villanova at home, 81-76 (-4.5). UConn is 5-0 on Big East road; they're 20-1 overall, losing only in Big East opener, 94-79 at Marquette.
Green Bay lost 72-66 in OT at Butler 11 days ago, making 5-9 at foul line, compared to 16-21 for Bulldogs, who had +10 TO ratio (8-18). Green Bay is 6-1 at home in Horizon, losing only 66-63 vs Cleveland State. Butler had six-game win streak snapped in OT at Wright State Saturday; they're 2-4 on Horizon road, 2-3 as a home fave, winning at Cleveland St (55-51), UIC (67-39).
South Alabama won 60-57 at New Orleans Jan 14, as UNO hit on just 4-18 treys; Privateers covered four of last five as road dog in Sun Belt; they're 1-5 on road, losing by 19 (Denver), 7 (ULL), 21 (MTSU), 15 (WKU), 4 (Troy). USA lost at home to ULL last game; they're 1-3-1 as home favorite, winning by 4,12,9 points, and losing to WKU. Sun Belt home favorites are 26-22 vs spread
Oklahoma State lost six of last seven games; they're 0-4 against spread at home (1-3 SU) with three of four games decided by a hoop each (six of their 10 Big 12 games were decided by either 1 or 2 pts). Dogs of 3+ pts are 6-2 vs spread in their games this yr. Kansas won last seven games (6-1 vs spread); they're 4-1 on Big 12 road, with all four wins by 10+ pts. Not sure if Sutton will be at this game, after missing Saturday's game due to car accident.
San Francisco lost 71-68 at San Diego Saturday, missing 10 of 25 foul shots, making just 40.4% from floor; Dons are 3-2 at home in WCC, 1-3 in last four games overall. San Diego won five of its last six games, winning last two on road; three of four losses in WCC are by 1 or 2 pts. Road teams are 22-13 vs spread in WCC play so far this season. Last year, USD lost here 87-82, in OT.
St Mary's beat Santa Clara 54-51 in fierce struggle Saturday nite in Moraga; Gaels won third game in last four, despite shooting 33% from floor; they're 2-3 on WCC road. Broncos are 2-8 in WCC, losing last three home games by 13,8,15 pts; they swept St Mary's last year, in year that Gaels won 25 games and made it into NCAA's. Thius is underrated rivalry-type game.
Gonzaga played their hearts out in front of ESPN audience vs a Pac-10 foe Saturday; now they have quick turnaround, go up to Portland to face Pilot squad that covered in 81-64 loss Jan 28 in Spokane (Pilots were 3-18 from arc in that game). Portland lost last five games, all by 10+ pts; they're 0-4 vs spread at home in WCC, losing by 16,14,24 pts. Both their WCC wins came in OT. Zags are 0-6 vs spread in last six conference games
Fresno State is 5-1 at home in WAC, losing only to La Tech, in a OT game; Bulldogs lost 73-65 at Hawai'i Jan 21, shooting 34.4% from floor, missing 24 of 37 treys. Hawai'i got rare mainland win (1-6 this year) at Boise Saturday, their third win in row, scoring 79 ppg in those three games. Fresno is 5-0 in WAC if they score 75+ pts, 0-6 if they don't. Hawai'i allowed 75+ once in 11 games.
Nevada went to Ruston 11 days ago, beat La Tech 65-53; both teams shot less than 38%, with Tech woeful 3-26 from arc. Wolf Pack won five in row (4-1 vs spread) since losing Big Monday home game to Utah State, their only loss in five WAC home tilts (wins by 26,14,18,22 pts). Tech is 4-1 on WAC road, losing only 64-55 at Utah State; they're 3-0 vs spread as a WAC underdog.
Furman won 83-52 at Wofford Jan 9, shooting 58.2% from floor, with +21 edge on boards; it was 48-24 at half. Since then, things changed; Furman lost four of last five games, Wofford won four of five. Paladins are 4-1 at home in league, with wins by 5,4,24,12 pts- they lost at home to Charleston Saturday. Wofford is 2-3 on road, losing by 18 (Davidson), 16 (Ga Southern), 11 (UT-Chat).
Georgia Southern won last five games, scoring 87 ppg last three they beat Charleston 71-68 Jan 9, rallying from 34-27 deficit at half. Eagles were -21 on boards, +11 in turnovers in that contest. Charleston won five of last six games, is 8-4, 4-1 at home, with wins by 13,12,14,11 pts (they lost to Davidson). Cougars are 0-4 if they allow 70+ pts; Eagles scored 70+ in five of last six games
Elon is 2-3 in last five games, after 6-0 start in league; they beat Chattanooga 92-74 on road Jan 9, making 16-30 treys and 54.4% of their shots from floor. Moccasins won five of their last seven games and last two on road; their last four losses are all by 14+ pts. Elon is 2-3 as home favorite, winning by 6,6,2,4,11,7 pts, but they're still 6-0 SU at home (they lost last three road games).
Western Carolina is 3-1 at home in league; they lost 68-53 Jan 9 at Appalchian State, shooting 29.7% from floor, 5-24 from arc. Catamounts covered their last three games, are 3-1 as home fave ASU snapped three-game losing streak Saturday; they're 1-4 on Southern Conference road, losing by 6 (Elon), 2 (Greensboro), 11 (Charleston) and 12 (Furman) pts (1-3 as road underdog).
Senior Night at Niagara, for Eagle club that won four of last five games, and last three at home; they beat Manhattan 67-51 down at Draddy ten days ago, as Jaspers shot 3-23 from arc. Fourth road game in six nights for Jaspers, who lost at Canisius in last game, but are 5-3 on MAAC road, 3-1 in last four. Niagara is 5-1 vs spread in last six games, covering last four home games.
Canisius won 76-67 at Marist Jan 5, game that made Foxes 0-3 in MAAC; they're 9-6 now, winners in nine of last 11 games, 4-1 in last five on road. Marist led 31-25 at half in the Jan 5 game; they were 7-26 from arc in for game. Canisius is 5-10 in league, 2-8 in last 10; they're 3-5 at home, winning last two; they beat Jaspers 86-75 Saturday. MAAC home underdogs are 4-9 vs spread.
Citadel is 0-11 in league, 1-4 as home dog, losing 83-65 (Georgia Southern), 67-52 (Wofford), 65-46 (UNC-G), 66-65 (App State), 74-64 (Ot) (UT-Chat); they're 2-5 vs spread in last seven games overall. Davidson is 2-3 last five games after a 5-1 start; they are 2-3 as road favorite, winning by 33 (App St), 10 (Charleston) in five games. Davidson won first meeting 85-49 at home Jan 9th.
Tennessee State is 6-2 at home in OVC; they lost 70-63 Feb 4 at Austin Peay, as Governors shot 53.3% from floor, outscored the Tigers 16-8 from foul line (16-24/8-11). Peay covered its last five games (4-1 SU); they're 2-5 on OVC road, winning at E. Illinois and SE Missouri, two poor teams (0-3 as road dog). Both sides are playing third game in last five nights.
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