Zack's Picks (1 Live)
The HBCU Classic continues Friday with a pair of matchups. The second game will feature two teams that have just one win each against division one opponents in Norfolk State and Jackson State. The Tigers had great individual play from Daeshun Ruffin in yesterday’s loss to Hampton with 36 points. Expect a down shooting night for Ruffin in consecutive games, and for Norfolk State to get their second win over a division one school. Lay the number.
One of the yearly small school matchups I tend to gravitate towards is Tennessee Martin against Tennessee State. The Tigers won both matchups last season, including a one point win in overtime. Remarkably tonight will mark their first home game against a division one opponent all season. Look for UT Martin to get off to the faster start, and seek revenge for last year’s sweep.
A team that has started to show life after early season struggles are the Bradley Braves. They began the season just 1-3 overall, and now have won each of their last four games. The difference tonight is a conference game against Indiana State, as well as just their second true road game of the season. The Braves won both matchups a season ago including a season high 118 points in the second meeting. Lay the number here with Bradley.
A team where their overall record is misleading is Louisiana Tech at 6-3. They have won four out of their last five games, and each of their last three victories have been by margins of twenty plus points. Yet, the strength of competition has not been there, and they are 0-3 on the road. Grab the Green Wave here.
One of the toughest things to do is play early conference games in December, and then have a layoff. That is a factor tonight for Cal Poly that played two Big West conference games, and go into tonight on a ten day layoff. Montana State has just two wins against division one schools, and just played three days ago against Oregon State. Despite a poor road record of 1-6, look for their road heavy schedule to pay dividends tonight. Lay the small number or moneyline Montana State.
UT Rio Valley Grande is a team that lost the majority of their starting five from last season. It shows on the floor as they are one of the lowest scoring teams in division one, ranking 296th. They scored just fifty points in their last game against UT Arlington, and have lost four out of their last five games. Expect a close game as Lamar’s only Southland conference game they scored forty nine points against Texas A&M Corpus Christi. Take the points here with UT Rio.
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.