The Aztecs have won nine straight home games overall, and they're 13-0 all-time versus Nevada at Viejas Arena. Defensive anchor Magoon Gwath is expected to return from injury for San Diego State. The Wolf Pack's Corey Camper Jr. (17.7 ppg) was held to eight points in the first meeting, a 73-68 SDSU win in Reno. San Diego State's defense should be the difference Saturday. Back the Aztecs to cover for the fourth straight time in this series.
Georgia's only win in its last five games came against lowly LSU. The Sooners are better than their record and are fully rested after knocking off Vanderbilt 92-91 in Nashville last Saturday. Bulldogs guard Jeremiah Wilkinson (17.1 ppg) missed the loss to Florida and continues to deal with shoulder soreness. He is not certain to return Saturday.
Texas A&M has lost three in a row, but two of those were by three or fewer points. The Aggies boast a balanced attack that can keep pace with Vanderbilt's prolific offense. Texas A&M should have an edge on the glass, providing a few extra possessions to help keep this close.
Quinnipiac (10-5 MAAC) leads the MAAC in scoring and has won three straight entering this crucial conference game at Siena (10-4 MAAC). Siena has won six of seven, but the Saints could struggle offensively against a Quinnipiac team holding opponents to 42.5 percent from the field. The Bobcats also have won four of the past five meetings. Look for reigning MAC Player of the Year Amaari Monroe (15.6 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 2.3 apg) to at least keep Quinnipiac close.
The Tritons have gone 1-4 SU and ATS over their last five games and shouldn't be laying this big of a number. UC Davis has won four of five and just held Cal Poly to 58 points on 32 percent shooting. Aggies freshman Marcus Wilson is coming off back-to-back outings with 24 points, shooting 16 of 30 in those games. He also dished out nine assists and grabbed 10 rebounds. Back UC Davis to keep this tight.
Belmont saw its nine-game win streak snapped in an OT loss at Bradley, and now the Bruins return home to face a Northern Iowa team they dismantled by 13 in Cedar Falls. But Northern Iowa is playing much better now. The Panthers just destroyed Murray State, the MVC's second-place team, 89-60 on the road, for their third straight win. None of Northern Iowa's last four opponents has scored more than 60 points. While the Bruins are highly efficient offensively, the Panthers hold opponents to 26.5 percent from deep. Northern Iowa has been an underdog six times this season. The Panthers have covered five of those -- the miss coming by 1.5 points at Bradley -- and beaten market expectations by an average of 8.2 points.
After back-to-back heartbreaking losses, FDU has notched two straight home wins and is back in Hackensack, N.J., looking for a third. Senior forward Taeshaud Jackson has elevated his game lately, scoring 14-plus points in five straight and registering double-digit rebounds in three of those five. He is 14 of 15 from the foul line in that span. St. Francis won the first meeting, 85-82, in Loretto, Pa. But the Red Flash enter this matchup on a four-game skid, having just lost to lowly Chicago State. Lay the points.
Portland pulled a massive upset over Gonzaga, then knocked off Seattle in a thriller. That was a mild upset. Now the Pilots hit the road, where they are 1-9 SU and 2-8 ATS. Steve Lavin's Toreros are back home, desperate for a win. They have won six of the past seven home meetings with Portland. The Pilots rank 365th in Haslametrics' away-from-home metric.
Boston College is just 2-8 in ACC play and has lost four straight, but the Eagles have covered six in a row. And they're a respectable 8-5 SU at home, with wins over Syracuse and Pitt. The Cardinal miss senior forward Chisom Okpara. He averaged 13.9 points but was lost to a season-ending injury last month. Grab the points in a game that should go to the wire.
The Wolverines rank first in defensive efficiency and fifth in offensive efficiency. Northwestern has covered four of six but is overmatched here. Look for Michigan to clamp down on Nick Martinelli, dominate the glass and cover its fourth in a row.
The 76ers are back home, where Tyrese Maxey averages 7.2 assists and 3.9 rebounds. New York is playing the second night of a back-to-back, following an OT game no less, and won't have OG Anunoby again. (Though Mitchell Robinson will return). Look for Maxey to clear this prop total for the third time in four meetings with the Knicks this season.
UNC Greensboro won the first meeting 85-78 at VMI on Jan. 20. The Keydets enter on a 10-game skid, with two covers in that span. The Spartans have won two straight to get to 6-6 in SoCon play. Senior forward Justin Neely has scored 50 points in the past two games while grabbing 25 rebounds and dishing out five assists. He dominated VMI in the first meeting, and should do so again Wednesday.
Virginia Tech has lost three of four and remains without Tyler Johnson for this critical matchup at Clemson. But the Hokies have a knack for keeping things competitive, especially on the road where they've covered six straight. Clemson has Duke on deck Saturday. Look for Hokies guard Ben Hammond, who went scoreless on 0-for-9 shooting Saturday at NC State, to bounce back to his usual form (12.3 ppg) as Virginia Tech keeps it close.
LSU leading scorer Dedan Thomas Jr. (15.3 ppg, 6.5 apg) will miss his third straight game. He had 18 points and five assists when the Tigers went to Fayetteville, Ark., on Jan. 24 and nearly pulled the upset, losing 85-81. Arkansas ranks seventh in offensive efficiency. While the Razorbacks likely will be thin with Karter Knox and D.J. Wagner doubtful, they have enough talent to overcome those absences. LSU has lost its last two home games by double digits.
The Clippers aren't a good rebounding team without Ivica Zubac, setting up Alperen Sengun for a big game on the boards. He's recorded double-digit rebounds in five of his last seven games. In two meetings with the Clippers this season, Sengun grabbed 15 and 11 rebounds.