College Basketball betting trends, odds and predictions for Friday, November 17th, 2017 from various handicappers and websites
NCAAB Knowledge
Virginia beat VCU by 17 here three years ago in last meeting, which was two coaches ago for VCU; Cavaliers allowed 48.5 ppg in winning first two games this year, by 12-44 points. over NC-Greensboro/Austin Peay. Cavs are picked in middle of ACC pack; they’ve got 3 starters back from a 23-11 team. VCU scored 94.5 ppg in winning their first two games this year, by 29-10 points. Rams are picked 2nd in A-14. ACC favorites are 9-7 vs spread, 1-2 away from home; A-14 underdogs are 5-2.
Illinois-DePaul haven’t played in last 16 years, so this is a big deal locally. Illinois won its first two games in Underwood era, but beat Tenn-Martin only 77-74 in last game, after leading by 19 early in 2nd half; Illini starts two juniors, one senior- they’re picked 10th in Big 14, which is doubtful because Underwood is really good. DePaul lost by 14 to Notre Dame, then beat a stiff in last game. Blue Demons start a junior, three seniors. Big 14 favorites are 8-8 vs spread; Big East underdogs are 2-3.
Charleston Tournament
Auburn won its first two games by 28-19 points, despite being without two players for off-court reasons. Tigers smoked Indiana State yesterday (was 48-27 at half), getting to line 31 times- none of their guys played more than 30:00. Tigers forced 37 turnovers in their first two games. Temple made 10-19 on arc in 76-65 win over Old Dominion yesterday- that was Owls’ first game this season. Three Owls played 35:00 vs ODU. SEC teams are 10-6 vs spread in last 16 games vs AAC opponents.
Clemson scored 84.3 ppg in winning its first three games; they beat Ohio 81-76 yesterday, going 23-28 on foul line. Tigers start three juniors, two seniors- three guys played 32:00+ vs Ohio. Tigers are picked 12th in ACC this year- their first two wins were over stiffs. Hofstra upset Dayton 72-69 yesterday; three guys played 32:00+, one guy played whole 40:00. Pride is picked to finish in middle of CAA pack- they start two juniors, two seniors, made 20-26 on foul line vs Dayton, while Flyers were just 9-14.
Indiana St was 17-26 on arc in its 90-69 win at Indiana; they got blasted by Auburn yesterday, losing by 19 to Auburn- it was 48-27 at halftime. ISU was just 6-20 on arc; they start three seniors, one junior. No Sycamore played more than 29:00. Old Dominion lost by 11 to Temple yesterday; their PG played all 40:00, no one else played more than 32:00. Monarchs were just 5-19 on arc- they’re 2-1 this season, with win at JMU and a win over Towson State. ODU starts three juniors, one senior.
Ohio U lost 81-76 to Clemson yesterday, despite going 10-26 on arc; Bobcats start three juniors, one senior, are picked 2nd in MAC wth 3 starters back from a 20-11 team. Ohio beat a stiff by only 8 points in its opener. Dayton split its first two games, which were decided by total of four points; they shot only 26.3% on arc in those two games. Flyers start three juniors, one senior, have a new coach; they were outscored 20-9 on foul line in 72-69 loss to Hofstra yesterday.
Coastal Carolina Tournament
Iowa State is in a rebuild; they lost first two games to Missouri/Milwaukee, but they won 104-98 over Appalachian State Thursday, making 10-23 on arc, 28-35 on foul line. Cyclones won 123 games the last five years, but lost 4 starters from LY- they’re picked 9th in Big X. Tulsa played one guy more than 25:00 in 81-74 win over WMU yesterday; Hurricane was only 3-18 on arc, but outscored Broncos 24-4 on foul line. Tulsa is off to a 2-1 start, but lost at home to Lamar. Iowa State’s Babb played 40:00 yesterday; no one else played more than 25:00.
Illinois State was 28-39 on foul line in upset of South Carolina yesterday- Redbirds lost opener to Fla Gulf Coast, despite going 14-29 on arc— they start a freshman, two sophs- they don’t have a senior in their rotation, are picked to finish 2nd in MVC this winter. Boise State was down 54-45 with 3:23 left yesterday, rallied to beat UTEP 58-56- Hutchison was 3-14 from floor, but scored winning 3-point play with 0:03 left for the win. Broncos played two guys over 30:00 yesterday; they start a junior and three seniors.
South Carolina lost three starters from its 26-11 Final Four team; they lost 69-65 to Illinois State yesterday, after winning first two games over mid-majors by 21-18 points. Gamecocks start only one senior- one guy played more than 28:00 for them yesterday. UTEP blew a 54-45 lead with 3:23 left in yesterday’s loss to Boise; Miners start three seniors- they used three guys 33:00+ in Thursday’s loss, when they went 4-18 on arc in game where they rallied back from down 13 to take lead.
Appalachian State was 15-40 on arc, 29-40 on foul line in 104-98 loss to Iowa State Thursday; ASU starts two sophs, two juniors- you just don’t see a team take 40 3’s and 40 FT’s in same game- only two of their guys played more than 29:00. ASU had beaten couple of stiffs before coming to this event. Western Michigan lost 81-74 to Tulsa yesterday, despite going 12-31 on arc— they start two juniors, two sophs. Broncos are 0-2 vs D-I teams, losing by 18-7 points while allowing 79.5 ppg.
NBA2K Tournament
Saint Louis upset Va Tech 77-71 yesterday; Billikens are 3-0 with wins over two stiffs. SLU starts two freshmen and a sophomore- they made only 25% of their 3’s in first three games. Providence has advantage of playing in MSG every year, at Big East tournament. Friars lost to Minnesota t home Monday, but beat Washington 77-70 last night. Friars’ bench outscored Washington’s subs 25-9. Billikens played their best guys 37-39:00 yesterday.
Virginia Tech scored 243 points against stiffs in its first two wins, then got beat 77-71 last night when the other team actually played defense. Hokies are shooting 40.3% on arc in first three games- they used two guys 34-38:00 last night. Tech starts three juniors and a senior. Washington lost 77-70 to Providence last night; their bench was outscored 25-9. Huskies shot just 9-27 on arc, 13-22 on foul line. Washington starts three juniors, doesn’t play any seniors and they have a new coach- they beat Belmont, EWU at home.
New Mexico coach Weir bolted New Mexico State after one year to coach the Lobos (for more money); no hard feelings, right? Lobos are 6-2 in last eight series games; they lost by 13 in Las Cruces LY, when Weir was coaching the Aggies. New Mexico was 17-39 on arc in their 103-71 win over Omaha last game- they’re starting two juniors, three seniors. Aggies lost by 18 at St Mary’s Monday, after beating a stiff in their opener. State starts three tenors and a junior. Mountain West underdogs are 1-2 vs spread this season.
Armadillosports.com