NCAAB
Thursday, March 2
Marshall won its last seven games with Rice, winning last four played here, by 14-11-1-14 points. Thundering Herd lost five of its last eight games overall, is 5-2 at home in conference, 5-1 vs spread as home favorites- they allowed 86+ points in last three games. Rice won seven of its last eight games; they’re having best season in since 2004. Owls won last four road games, are 0-2 as a road underdog- favorites covered six of their seven C-USA road games. C-USA home favorites of 3 or less points are 8-4-1 vs spread this season.
Cincinnati lost twice in its last five games after starting season 22-2, scoring 51-49 points in last two losses; Bearcats are 8-0 at home in AAC, 4-3-1 vs spread as home favorites- they won 67-58 at Houston Jan 7; Bearcats made 10-24 on arc, but shot 36.4% inside arc. Cougars won seven of last eight games, are 6-2 on AAC road- they won last three road tilts. Cincinnati is 6-1 in AAC games with Houston, winning all three played here, by 11-13-11 points. Single digit home favorites are 17-12-1 vs spread in AAC games this season.
Old Dominion won/covered their last four games; they’re 4-3 on C-USA road, 0-2 as a road favorite. Texas-El Paso won its last five games, is 11-0 vs spread in its last 11 games; they’re 6-1 at home in C-USA, covering last five home games- five of their seven conference home games were decided by 4 or less points. UTEP is 2-1 vs Old Dominion in C-USA meetings; Monarchs lost 62-47 in last visit here couple years ago. C-USA road favorites of 3 or less points are 7-3 against the spread this season.
Arkansas State lost three of last five games, losing last two road games by 4-6 points; Wolves are 3-4 on Sun Belt road, 3-0 as road underdogs. Dogs covered six of their seven Sun Belt tilts. Troy State is 4-3 at home in Sun Belt, 3-2 as home favorites; they lost last two games overall. ASU beat Troy 82-80 at home Jan 21, in game where both teams made more than half their 3’s. ASU is 4-3 vs Troy in Sun Belt meetings, losing by 10-10 points in their last two visits here. Sun Belt home favorites of 3 or less points are 7-8 against the spread.
Colorado won seven of last nine games after starting 0-7 in Pac-12; Buffs won their last five home games- they’re 2-3 vs spread as home favorites. Stanford lost six of last nine games, is 2-4 as road underdogs, losing away games by 16-14-17-11-7-6 points, with a win in Corvallis. Colorado won 81-74 at Stanford Feb 2, their 7th straight win over the Cardinal. Buffs survived 23 turnovers (-11), shot 63% inside arc. Stanford lost its last three visits to Boulder, by 21-6-16 points. Pac-12 home favorites of 6 or less points are 9-10 vs spread this season.
Wisconsin lost four of last five games, is 6-1 at home in Big 14, 4-3 as home favorite, winning home games by 20-23-4-27-5-11 points- they lost to Northwestern. Iowa won its last two games, but is 1-6 vs spread as a road underdog, losing away games by 22-3-35-12-12-11 points, with wins at Rutgers, Maryland. Badgers won last six games with Iowa, winning last three played here, by 4-4-32 points. Iowa plays fastest tempo in Big 14, Wisconsin plays second-slowest tempo. Double digit home favorites are 12-9 vs spread in Big 14 games this season.
Minnesota won its last seven games (6-1 vs spread); they’re 4-3 as a home favorite; they’re 3-2 in OT games in conference this season. Nebraska lost 10 of last 13 games, are 4-3 as a road underdog, losing away games by 6-1-12-11-16 points- they won at Indiana/Maryland/Ohio State. Huskers won four of its last five games with Minnesota; home teams won last seven series games. Huskers lost last three visits to Twin Cities, by 12-19-18 points. Single digit home favorites are 33-30-1 vs spread in Big 14 games this season.
Utah lost its last three games, last two by a single point; Utes are 5-2 at home, 3-2 as home favorites- their home losses were to UCLA, Oregon. Cal lost three of last four games; they’re 3-4 on Pac-12 road, 1-2 as road favorites. Bears beat Utah 77-75 in double OT at home Feb 2, in game where teams shot combined 11-42 on arc. Utes are 5-2 in last seven series games, winning by 15-9 points in last two played here. Bears turn ball over 19.1% of time, #11 in Pac-12. Pac-12 home favorites of 3 or less points are 3-7 vs spread this season.
MVC tournament, St Louis
Evansville won five of last seven games after starting 1-10 in Valley. Indiana State lost three of last four games; they’re 1-8 away from home in the Valley. Purple Aces won four of last six games with Indiana State; they led at half in both meetings this year, by 7-10 points, but teams split wth home side winning both. which were decided by total of 3 points. Aces were just 1-5 on arc for game in 65-63 win five days ago. Indiana State is 4-2 in its first MVC tourney games the last six years; Evansville is 3-2 the last five years.
Bradley won its last three games after starting 4-11 in MVC play; they lost last 10 times they scored less than 72 points, are 6-0 last six times they scored 72+. Drake held six of last nine opponents under 72 points, but lost all nine games; MVC teams shoot 52% inside the arc against the Bulldogs Braves won four of last five games with Drake; they swept the Bulldogs this year, winning 79-72 at home Feb 4, then 82-74 at Drake on Saturday. Bradley is 1-5 in MVC tourney games the last five years; Drake is 2-6 the last eight years, 0-3 the last three.
MAAC tournament, Albany
Quinnipiac lost its last six games after starting out 7-7 in MAAC; Bobcats shot 30.2% on arc, worst in league- they swept Niagara this year, winning 81-78 on road Jan 2, after trailing by 12 with 5:22 left; then they led 44-16 in 89-81 home win Feb 4. Bobcats are 9-2 vs Niagara in MAAC games. Purple Eagles lost their last five (3 of 5 were at home) and 8 of last 10 games; Niagara is 3-3 in last six MAAC tourneys; they lost first tournament game in triple OT LY. Quinnipiac is 1-3 in its first three MAAC tournaments.
Canisius hammered Marist 91-58 Jan 14, making 14-30 on arc, then lost rematch 76-74 11 days ago- Red Foxes shot 73% inside arc, survived 22 turnovers (-8) in game Griffins led by 6 at the half. Canisius is 14-5 in its last 19 games with Marist. Griffins lost their last three games, but won three of last four road games. Red Foxes won two of last three games after starting MAAC play at 3-14. Canisius forces turnovers 22% of time, best in MAAC. Marist is last in four of nine defensive metrics. Marist is 1-4 in last four MAAC tourneys; Canisius is 2-6 in its last six.
Rider won its last three games, scoring 98.3 pts/game to even its MAAC mark at 10-10. Broncs won by 18 at Iona, an eye-opener. Home side won both Manhattan-Rider games; Jaspers won 76-73 Dec 3, then lost 93-82 in Broncs’ Zoo 8 nites ago. Rider won four of last six games overall with Manhattan. Jaspers lost 10 of last 13 games, two of the three wins were by one point. MAAC opponents shot 42% on arc against them this season. Manhattan is 9-2 in last four MAAC tourneys, winning it in ’14, ’15; Rider is 2-5 in last five MAAC tourneys.
