College Basketball betting news, trends, odds and predictions for Monday, January 15, 2018 from various handicappers and websites
It does not get much bigger than this for ESPN’s Big Monday double-header of betting action in college basketball.
The early game pits two of the top teams in the ACC against one another with Duke going on the road to face Miami. Later in the Big 12, Kansas will square off against West Virginia in Morgantown.
No. 7 Duke at No. 18 Miami, FL. (ESPN, 7:00 p.m. ET)
Opening Odds: Duke -4
Betting Matchup
Duke should remain secure in the top 10 of the national rankings this week following routine romps over Pittsburgh on the road last Wednesday and Wake Forest at home on Saturday both straight-up and against the spread as a heavy double-digit favorite on the closing betting line. The total stayed UNDER in both of those wins and it has stayed UNDER in three of the Blue Devils’ last three games. They are currently 15-2 SU on the year with a 10-6 record ATS, including a 2-3 start ATS in ACC play.
Freshman forward Marvin Bagley III continues to tear things up for Duke with 30 points or more in three of his last four starts. He is averaging a team-high 22.5 points per game while also leading the way in rebounds with 11.7. The Blue Devils have five players scoring at least 12 PPG as part of a 93.2-point scoring average that is ranked second in the nation. They are also ranked second in both assists (19.9) and rebounds (44.1) per game.
The Hurricanes come into Monday night’s showdown at 13-3 SU and 8-6 ATS after dropping two of their last three games both ways. They are just 2-4 ATS in their last six games with the total going OVER in three of their last five outings. Saturday’s 72-63 loss to Clemson as 5 ½-point road underdogs went OVER the 133-point closing line. Miami returns home on Monday night with an even 2-2 record ATS in four previous home games this season.
Guards’ Lonnie Walker and Anthony Lawrence each scored 16 points against Clemson with freshman Chris Lykes adding 13 points off the bench, but Miami could never overcome a four-point deficit at the half. The Hurricanes are way down the list in Division I when it comes to scoring with 73.1 PPG, but they remain one of the top defensive teams in the nation with a points-allowed average of 60.7.
Betting Trends
-- The Blue Devils are 8-2-1 ATS in their last 11 road games, but they fall to 7-16-1 ATS in their last 24 Monday games. The total has gone OVER in six of their last seven games on the road.
-- The Hurricanes have gone 8-20-1 ATS in their last 29 games following a SU loss and they are 2-6 ATS in their last eight home games against a team with a SU winning record on the road. The total has stayed UNDER in eight of their last 10 ACC games.
-- Head-to-head in this ACC tilt, the underdog has been able to cover or force a PUSH in 11 of the last 15 meetings. The total has stayed UNDER in four of the last five meetings.
No. 12 Kansas at No. 2 West Virginia (ESPN, 9:00 p.m. ET)
Opening Odds: West Virginia -4
Betting Matchup
Following a loss to Texas Tech to start the New Year, Kansas has won its last three Big 12 games SU including a tight 73-72 victory against in-state rival Kansas State on Saturday as a 12 ½-point home favorite. The Jayhawks also failed to cover in a five-point victory at home against Iowa State as 16-point favorites as part of a sketchy 4-6 record ATS over their last 10 games. The total stayed UNDER 150 points against Kansas State after going OVER in their previous four games.
While Kansas has not been blowing the doors off the lesser competition it has faced so far in conference play, it remains one of the most potent scoring teams in the nation with an average of 85.8 PPG. Senior guard Devonte’ Graham scored 23 points in Saturday’s win and his 18.4-point scoring average is the highest among five Jayhawks with 10 or more points a night.
The Mountaineers’ run to the top of the national rankings has been put on hold following Saturday’s 72-71 loss to No. 8 Texas Tech as 4 ½-point road underdogs. It was their first loss in Big 12 play following four SU wins as part of an overall record of 15-2. After covering in that loss, West Virginia is an even 7-7 ATS with the total staying UNDER in its last four outings. The total has stayed UNDER in nine of 16 games this year.
Senior guard Jevon Carter led all scorers in Saturday’s loss with 28 points while going 5-for-9 from three-point range. The Mountaineers’ leading scorer (16.8 PPG) has been inconsistent in conference play with a combined 11 points in recent victories against Kansas State and Baylor. West Virginia, as a team, is averaging 82.1 PPG and shooting 43 percent from the field.
Betting Trends
-- The Jayhawks have covered in seven of their last eight road games and they are 5-2-1 ATS in their last eight games played on Monday. The total has gone OVER in six of their last seven Big 12 games.
-- The Mountaineers are 5-1-1 ATS in their last seven Monday games and they are 4-1 ATS in their last five games against a team with a SU winning record. The total has stayed UNDER in five of their last seven home games.
-- The home team in this Big 12 battle is 9-2 ATS in the last 11 meetings and the total has stayed UNDER in four of the last five meetings in West Virginia.
Monday’s 13 most interesting games
Wright State is 5-0 in Horizon after winning by 3 at No Kentucky last game; Raiders are 7-1 vs teams ranked outside top 200- they force turnovers 22.6% of time. Youngstown is 3-2 in Horizon- they’re 0-4 vs top 150 teams. Wright State is 5-2 in its last seven games with Youngstown; Penguins won two of three visits here. Youngstown is 5-0 vs spread in Horizon games, 3-0 as road dogs this year, losing by 13-2 points with a win in Cleveland. Wright is 8-12-1 in its last 21 games as a home favorite. Horizon home favorites are 7-14 vs spread this season.
Providence won its last two games by 9-7 points; Friars are 3-5 vs top 100 teams, are shooting 38.2% on arc. Butler lost three of its last four games, losing last two road games, by 7-11 points. Bulldogs are 4-6 vs top 100 teams- they allowed 83+ points in all six league games. Providence is 7-2 vs Butler in Big East play, winning Bulldogs’ last two visits here, by 3-6 points. Butler is 17-22-1 vs spread in Big East road games, 0-2-1 this year; Friars are are 6-4-1 in last 11 home games. Big East home favorites are 7-7-1 against the spread this season.
Michigan is off upset in East Lansing Saturday; they’re 6-4 vs top 100 teams, 8-1 in last nine games overall. Maryland is #307 experience team whose bench plays #314 minutes; Terrapins are 4-5 vs top 100 teams. Maryland is 3-1 vs Michigan in Big 14 games; underdogs covered all four games. Terps split pair of visits to Ann Arbor. Maryland is 9-8 as Big 14 road underdogs, 0-2 this year- they lost last two road games, by 30-22 points. Michigan is 17-13-1 in its last 31 games as home favorites. Big 14 home favorites are 14-11 vs spread this season.
Miami is 5-3 in its last eight games with Duke, which lost three of its last four visits here. Duke is 1-2 on ACC road this season, losing at NC State/BC, winning by 35 at Pitt. Duke is playing fastest pace in ACC games so far- they’re 7-2 vs top 100 teams, but this is only their 4th road game. Miami split its last six games after a 10-0 start; ‘canes are 3-2 vs top 100 teams- they’ve got #2 eFG% defense in country. Duke is 7-12 vs spread in last 19 games as road favorites; Miami is 3-5 in last eight games as home underdogs. ACC home underdogs are 4-3 vs spread this season.
Florida State is 2-3 in its last five games after an 11-1 start; Seminoles lost last two road games, at Duke/Miami- they’re 3-4 vs top 100 teams. Boston College is 2-3 in its last five games; they’re 2-1 in ACC home games, losing by 4 to Clemson. Eagles are 2-6 vs top 100 teams this season. FSU won its last six games with BC, winning last two visits here, by 4-10 points. FSU is 2-5 in last seven games as road favorites; BC is 13-19 in last 32 games as home underdogs. ACC home underdogs are 4-3 against the spread this season.
Minnesota lost its last three games, by 4-23-34 points, allowing 79.7 ppg; they’re down two big guys. Gophers are 3-6 vs top 100 teams. Penn State won four of last five games with Minnesota, winning last three series games here, by 10-9-2 points. Gophers are 0-2 on Big 14 road this year, losing by 10 at Nebraska, 23 at Northwestern. PSU split its last six games; their last two games were decided by total of 6 points- they’re 4-5 vs top 100 teams. Lions are 8-12 in last 20 games as home favorites, 1-2 this year. Big 14 home favorites are 14-11 vs spread this season.
Oakland is 8-1 in Horizon games with Ill-Chicago, winning all four visits here, by 15-14-11-11 points. Oakland is 1-5 vs spread in Horizon games this year, but they’re 15-6 in last 21 games as road favorites. Grizzlies are 6-1 vs teams ranked outside top 200. UIC won its last three games, they won/covered both their Horizon home games this year, by 11-15 points- they are 11-5 in last 16 games as home underdogs. Flames are 0-6 vs teams ranked in top 150. Horizon home underdogs are 5-4 against the spread this season.
Green Bay won six of last seven games with Milwaukee; Panthers lost last three visits here, by 11-2-6 points. Phoenix lost its last five games, with three losses by 6 or less points- they’re 3-8 vs teams ranked outside top 200. Milwaukee is 1-3 on Horizon road, with losses by 9-1-15 points, with lone win in Cleveland. Panthers are 5-5 vs teams ranked outside top 200. Green Bay covered three of last four tries as Horizon home underdogs; Milwaukee is 6-4 in last ten tries as road favorites. Horizon home underdogs are 5-4 vs spread this season.
Marquette is 10-2 in its last 12 games with DePaul; Blue Demons lost 11 of last 12 visits here, with lone win 57-56 two years ago. Eagles split first six Big East games; they allowed 91+ points in all three losses. Marquette is 6-0 vs teams ranked outside top 100. DePaul is 1-8 vs top 100 teams; they’re 1-2 in true road games, losing by 9 at Illinois, 5 at Xavier. DePaul is 7-4 vs spread in last 11 Big East road games; Marquette is 10-14-1 in last 25 games as home favorites. Big East home favorites are 7-7-1 vs spread this season.
Illinois is 0-5 in Big 14, 10-3 outside it; Illini are 0-4 in true road games, losing three Big 14 road games by 4-10-10 points. Illini are 1-8 vs top 100 teams. Nebraska is 3-3 in Big 14, 2-0 at home, beating Minnesota by 10, Wisconsin by 4. Huskers are 4-7 vs top 100 teams. Nebraska lost its last game in OT at Penn State. Illinois/Nebraska split their last six meetings; Illini are 2-3 in last five visits to Lincoln. Illini is 8-16-1 in last 25 games as road underdogs; Nebraska is 15-8-1 in last 24 games as home favorites. Big 14 home favorites are 14-11 vs spread this season.
Baylor won its last four games with Oklahoma State, winning 12-4 points in Cowboys’ last two visits to Waco. Bears are 1-4 in Big X after 10-2 pre-conference mark; they’re 3-6 vs top 100 teams. Baylor scored 65-54 points in last two games; they start two freshmen. OSU is 2-3 in Big X- they’re 3-5 vs top 100 teams. Baylor is 6-11 vs spread in last 17 games as home favorites; OSU is 0-2 as road underdogs this year, losing by 20 at Oklahoma, 4 at K-State. Big X home favorites are 7-9-2 vs spread this year. OSU’s last three games were decided by 4 or less points, or in OT.
Home side won last nine Kansas-West Virginia games; Jayhawks lost last four visits here, by 6-1-11-16 points. Jayhawks are 4-1 in Big X, but none of the wins were by more than six points. Kansas is 5-2 vs top 50 teams- adding De Souza helps their depth. WVU had its 15-game win streak snapped Saturday; they’re 5-2 vs top 50 teams. Mountaineers force turnovers 27.1% of time (#2). Kansas is 6-3 in last nine games as Big X road underdogs; is 15-11 in last 26 games as home favorites, 1-1 this year. Big X home favorites are 7-9-2 vs spread this season.
Chattanooga is on its 4th coach in six years; they’re 0-5 in SoCon this year, after going 52-18 the last four years. Mocs are #321 experience team that is 0-5 vs teams in top 150. Mercer lost three of last four games; they’re #9 experience team that is 5-1 vs teams ranked outside top 200. UTC is 4-2 in SoCon games with Mercer; Mocs won last two visits here, by 6-2 points. UTC is 2-8 vs spread in last ten SoCon road games; Mercer is 9-7 in last 16 games as a home favorite. SoCon home favorites are 8-3 against the spread this season.