Northern Arizona has held up to begin the season better than anticipated. They have won three straight games, and have not left the state of Arizona over their last five games. Yet, this NAU team is bound for their first home let down of the year. They lost several key graduates and double double threat Carson Towt to Notre Dame. Take South Dakota State to snap their two game losing streak, and winless road record.

When it comes to Florida Gulf Coast, expect close games. Each of their last two games has went into overtime. Their opponent tonight in Florida International was a one point game last season, 60-59. Look for the Panthers to be motivated as they try and end losing the last three meetings against Florida Gulf Coast. Back the home team here on the moneyline.

South Alabama remains in the state of Texas for today’s neutral site game against New Mexico State. On Sunday, they defeated UTSA by a score of 82 to 58. They’ll face a New Mexico State team that is undefeated and has a four day rest advantage over the Jaguars. That will lead to a faster start for the Aggies with fresh legs, and caused the spread to jump on the Aggies side. Take the dog as South Alabama shoots their way back into the game in the second half.

Jackson State after beginning the year 0-6, got their first win of the season against UL Lafayette. Road travel has been the norm for Coach Mo Williams and his Tigers team, as tonight will mark their seventh road game overall. That’s factored into the number against a Kennesaw State team that comes in on six days rest. Look for a ten to twelve point win, but for Jackson State to cover the line.

California Baptist has had one of the more home friendly schedules in college basketball to start the season 6-0. Tonight will mark just their second road game of the season against Oregon State. While I’m impressed with the Lancers size and guard Dominique Daniels tonight seems like a slip up spot post holiday. Back the home team here in Oregon State.

Two teams that are fairly even will meet today in Destin, Florida. For the Blue Demons they have responded nicely since losing consecutive games against Northwestern and Buffalo. Where their offense has picked up with back to back games of 93 points or more. That has caused the line to shift on Tech’s side to DePaul. Georgia Tech has had weak competition but is also the less traveled team. DePaul has the early offensive success, and the Yellow Jackets make the adjustments to overtake the game.

A team that goes into tournament action with heightened scoring is Illinois State. They have scored over 82 points in each of their last three games, and are coming off a fifty two point win over Coastal Carolina. A bad loss can be hard to recover from, and for Charlotte their loss to Appalachian State seems to be lingering. They lost a tight game by two points, and then barely defeated division II school Shaw. An important scorer Major Freeman also missed the game with injury, with his status unknown for today. Lay the number here with Illinois State.

Early in the season there are certain coaches that are adjusting to a bevy of portal transfers. That is the case with Bryce Drew, as Tyon Grant Foster is flourishing at Gonzaga and Duke Brennan is leading the country in rebounding at Villanova. A handful of games in expect the Lopes to show growth tonight against Utah. The Utes are coming off a poor loss to Cal Poly, and will have consecutive losses for the first time this season.

Two teams that are searching for stability early in the season will meet in James Madison and Florida International. James Madison is 0-3 on the season in road games, losing by nine points or more in all, including a bad loss to Long Island. The Panthers have had a subpar schedule where two of their four opponents were non division one schools. Take James Madison who has the x-factor in long range shooting.

Small schools that make noise early in the season ones that I’ll look to find fade worthy spots against. Tarleton State has done that with their a former big time recruit in Dior Johnson shining off the bench. He has had a couple of outbursts including scoring over thirty points against Baylor. Rice may only have one win against a division one school, but they have faced Oregon and just on Monday Tennessee. Look for a sound game from the Owls and a cover against Tarleton State.

Pittsburgh will travel for a neutral site game against Central Florida, in Daytona Beach, Florida. The Knights had an impressive win over Texas A&M where they won outright as 10.5 point underdogs. Still, they are very thin off the bench, and I expect Pittsburgh’s defense and deeper roster to wear them down. Take Pittsburgh.

SC Upstate was impressive on their West Coast road trip to start the season. They showed athleticism against California Baptist, and knocked off Fresno State as near double digit underdogs. Today, can be a slip up spot as it is their first true home game against a division one opponent in Tennessee Tech. Expect Tennessee Tech to come out with a sense of urgency early on after losing a close game against West Georgia. They’ll do enough in the second half to hold off a rally from SC Upstate.

Just a slight value play on Southern Illinois as they head on the road for North Dakota State. North Dakota State has just one win over a division one school and that was against a Cal State Northridge team that had no legs playing two games in three nights in North Dakota. A game they actually trailed at halftime by three points. Expect SIU to hand North Dakota State their first home loss of the season.

LeMoyne like most programs that enter division one has struggled. This is just their third season overall, and they are just 6 and 26 against division one schools over the last two seasons. So seeing them a favorite is a value spot for me, especially facing a Niagara team that blew them out a season ago 88-69. Take LeMoyne on the moneyline.

Early in the season in college basketball oddsmakers will bait teams aiming for their first win at home. That’s the case I believe with Brown as they face Hampton tonight. Brown is 0-3 on the year, and will face a Hampton team that is going into their third road game of the season. They also had the big challenge in their last game facing a power four school in Virginia. Take the short underdog here with Hampton.