Being undefeated at this stage of the season in college basketball, and barely slipping into the top twenty five is a red flag in my opinion. That is the case for the Nebraska Cornhuskers who have a 9 and 0 record, and are coming off a blowout win over Creighton. Conference play can open the door on team issues. We saw this a year ago when Nebraska started 6-1, and were blown out by the Spartans in their first Big Ten game. The Badgers also limited them to 55 points in last year’s matchup. Grab the points with Wisconsin.
On the season Delaware has lost just one game by today’s point spread against George Washington, and that was exactly 23 points. They even went into BYU and lost by just 17 points. Yet, as I mentioned on HQ this team is depleted with pre-season injuries, that has caused them to have to overplay their starters. Christian Bliss leads the country in minutes per game and Macon Emory is ninth. Expect the impact to be to much of a burden tonight off an overtime game on Saturday, and road travel. Lay the large number.
Monday is a very light slate in college hoops, where I’ll venture into the Southland conference for a small play on New Orleans. The Privateers were embroiled in a gambling scandal last season, and come into tonight with six straight losses. They’ll face an Incarnate Word team that is playing 48 hours later after losing to winless Nicholls. Also, their winning record is masked by three wins against non division one schools. Take the home team plus the points with New Orleans.
A spread that is devalued lies in the Big Sky and Summit Challenge later today. Nebraska Omaha is winless on the road this season, leaving margin for error open in the final ten minutes. Additionally, Portland State has just one win one win this season against a division one opponent by double digits. Take the Vikings whose guard play shines enough to topple this spread.
South Alabama has began the year 8-1 overall. The one loss they failed to cover by just a half point against UAB. They’ve endured a lengthy road of tournament play and road games. Each of their last six games has been at a neutral site or road game. That plays into the hands of an East Tennessee team that has not played in any tournament action to date. Lay the number with the Buccaneers.
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.