Betting news, trends, odds and predictions from various handicappers and websites for Tuesday 4/2/19
By Kevin Rogers
Lipscomb (-1, 150 ½) vs. Wichita State – 7:00 PM EST – ESPN
This isn’t exactly the matchup people expected for the semifinals when the NIT began as Lipscomb (28-7 SU, 18-15 ATS) was a five-seed and Wichita State (22-14 SU, 21-14-1 ATS) was listed as a six-seed. The Bison were one win away from capturing the automatic bid out of the Atlantic Sun conference, but lost to Liberty at home, 74-68 to settle for the NIT.
Liberty proved to be a worthy champion from the A-Sun as the Flames bounced Mississippi State in the opening round of the NCAA tournament. However, Lipscomb didn’t hang its head for the consolation prize of playing in the NIT as the Bison went on the road (all in the state of North Carolina) to knock off Davidson, UNC-Greensboro, and North Carolina State all in the underdog role.
Lipscomb rallied to beat Davidson in the opening round as 2 ½-point underdogs, 89-81 as the Bison erased a five-point halftime deficit. The Bison shot 53% from the floor, led by Michael Buckland’s 18 points as Lipscomb connected on 11 three-pointers. Lipscomb crushed top-seed UNC-Greensboro in the second round, 86-69 as 1 ½-point ‘dogs, paced by Rob Marberry’s 24 points on 12-of-13 shooting from the floor to help the Bison improve to 7-2 ATS this season when receiving points.
The final victory for Lipscomb was a thrilling one in Raleigh as the Bison squeezed past N.C. State, 94-93, while outscoring the Wolfpack in the second half, 56-46. Another member of the Bison was the star this time around as senior guard Garrison Matthews went off for 44 points, while drilling eight treys. Lipscomb entered the NIT on a 2-7 ATS run, which included six non-covers as a double-digit favorite. The underdog role worked out for the Bison, who are playing in their first ever NIT Final Four.
Wichita State had an invitation to the Big Dance in each of the previous seven seasons, including a Final Four appearance in 2013, but a complete roster overhaul put the Shockers in unfamiliar territory. The Shockers lost three games in November, while suffering five defeats before AAC play even began (WSU lost eight games all of last season).
Gregg Marshall’s team started AAC action at 1-6, including ugly back-to-back double-digit road losses to UConn and USF. However, things slowly started to turn around for the Shockers, who compiled a 9-2 run to finish conference play, although none of the victories came against great competition (six wins against Tulane, East Carolina, and SMU). Wichita State managed a pair of AAC tournament victories over East Carolina and Temple before getting squeezed by Cincinnati in the semifinals as five-point ‘dogs in a 66-63 setback.
Just like Lipscomb, Wichita State had to do its damage on the highway as the Shockers beat Furman, Clemson, and Indiana on the road to make its first NIT Final Four since 2011 (which they won). After knocking off Furman as a 4 ½-point underdog in the first round, 76-70, the Shockers tripped up Clemson, 63-55 as 6 ½-point ‘dogs, while limiting the Tigers to 28% shooting from the floor. Wichita State took care of top-seed Indiana, 73-63 as 3 ½-point ‘dogs, 73-63, while limiting its eighth opponent in the last 10 games to less than 70 points.
Since failing to cover in the season finale victory at Tulane, the Shockers have covered six consecutive games, while becoming the first team in the history of the NIT to defeat the top three seeds on its way to the semifinals. This is the first ever meeting between Wichita State and Lipscomb, as the Bison look for their second win against an AAC squad after topping SMU as 10-point underdogs in November.
Texas vs. TCU (-1 ½, 138) – 9:30 PM EST – ESPN
The Big 12 has three teams going to the Final Four, all from the Lone Star State. Technically, Texas Tech is heading to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament, while Texas and TCU have to settle for meeting in Madison Square Garden in the NIT semifinals. There is plenty of pride on the line between these two state and conference rivals as the Horned Frogs (23-13 SU, 18-18 ATS) pulled off the season sweep of the Longhorns (19-16 SU, 16-19 ATS).
TCU has captured five of the past six matchups in the series dating back to 2017 as both victories this season finished UNDER the total. These teams first met on January 23 in Fort Worth as the Horned Frogs slipped past the Longhorns, 65-61 to barely cash as three-point favorites. Both teams struggled from the floor by shooting less than 41%, while Desmond Bane led TCU with 17 points. The Horned Frogs grabbed the sweep in Austin in the regular season finale, 69-56 as seven-point underdogs, as Bane went off for 34 points on 14-of-20 shooting from the floor, while the Longhorns shot just 37%.
The Horned Frogs hoisted the NIT championship in 2017, capped off by a blowout of Georgia Tech in the title game. TCU was one-and-done in the NCAA tournament last season after losing to Syracuse in the first round, but got off to a 12-1 start this season with the lone defeat coming to Lipscomb at home. However, the Horned Frogs lost their first five road Big 12 games, while suffering 1-6 run towards the end of the season prior to the victory at Texas on March 9.
Texas jumped out to a 5-0 start, including a neutral-site upset of North Carolina in Las Vegas as nine-point underdogs in November. However, the Longhorns fell the next day to Michigan State in that same tournament, which began a three-game losing skid which included losses to Radford and VCU at home. Shaka Smart’s team leaped out to a 2-0 record in Big 12 play, as the Longhorns won at eventual conference champion Kansas State in the opener.
The ‘Horns lost five of next six games after the 2-0 start, including a 10-point setback in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge to Georgia, who finished near the bottom of the league. There were several highlight wins at home, including victories over Kansas, Baylor, and Iowa State in Austin, but Texas picked up only one road win after beating K-State which came at last-place West Virginia in early February.
Both Texas and TCU reached the NIT semifinals by going 3-0 at home in their first three tournament contests. The Longhorns squeezed by South Dakota State in the opening round, 79-73 as eight-point favorites in spite of jumping out to a 19-0 lead. Texas held off Xavier in the second round, 78-76 in overtime, but once again couldn’t cash as four-point chalk. Leading scorer Kerwin Roach II, who missed the final four regular season games due to a suspension, paced Texas with 21 points, only the fourth game he has topped the 20-point mark this season.
Texas captured a win in its final home game of the season by blasting former conference rival Colorado, 68-55 as five-point favorites. Although the final margin was 13 points, the Longhorns built a commanding 44-19 halftime lead to reach their first NIT semifinals since 1978, the year they claimed their only NIT championship.
TCU is the only top seed remaining as it won all three of its NIT games by double-digits at home. The first victim was state counterpart Sam Houston State in an 82-69 triumph as 12-point favorites, followed up by an 88-72 rout of Nebraska as 4 ½-point chalk in the second round. TCU rallied past Creighton in the third round, 71-58 by outscoring the Bluejays, 41-25 in the second half as Kouat Noi led the Horned Frogs with 25 points. The Horned Frogs started the season at 5-0 ATS away from Fort Worth, but have covered only three of their last 11 games on the highway.
Hampton is 5-8 outside Big South (#211 NC sked); they won three of last four true road games, losing by seven at Campbell in Big South tourney. Pirates won eight of last nine games after being 10-15 at one point this season; they’re experience team #8 that plays pace #31 with a bench that doesn’t play much (minutes #300). Marshall won eight of its last nine games, winning last five home games; Thundering Herd is 9-6 outside C-USA; they play 5th-fastest tempo in country, are experience team #143 (#26 in MC).
Texas Southern is 6-8 outside SWAC, but all 14 of those games were on road; their first D-I home game this season was Jan 19 (they did have two non-D-I home games). Tigers won 16 of their last 18 games overall, winning their last eight true road games. TSU won its last game in triple OT at ULM, rallying back from down 14 in 2nd half. Wisc-Green Bay scored 93.3 ppg in winning first three games in this event; Phoenix is experience team #105 that plays tempo #12- they’re 7-7 outside Horizon (NC sked #10). Green Bay won six of its last seven home games.
NIT, New York City
Lipscomb has to be very fired up to be playing in NYC; they’re located in Nashville, so they’re not yokels, but national TV for an A-Sun team is a big deal. Lipscomb won at TCU this year, lost by 4 at Louisville; they beat NC State 94-93 in Raleigh LW, making 14-28 on arc. Bisons are #48 experience team whose eFG% is #48 in country. Wichita State won 14 of its last 17 games after starting season 8-11; they’re experience team #274 (#346 in MC) that has been riding on back of senior F McDuffie. All three of Shockers’ NIT wins were true road games.
TCU beat Texas twice this season, 65-61 at home, then 69-56 in Austin; Texas took total of only 16 FT’s in those two games. Longhorns lost their last four games away from home- their last road win was Feb 9 in West Virginia. Texas is experience team #281 that plays tempo #320. TCU won five of its last six games, winning two of last three on road; Horned Frogs are #203 that is very thin due to in-season defections. TCU scored 80.3 ppg in winning its last three games. Dixon is rumored to be in the mix for the UCLA job; he is a TCU alum but grew up in LA.
709Wichita St -710 Lipscomb
WICHITA ST is 10-1 ATS (8.9 Units) in road games versus good ball handling teams - committing =160 over the last 2 seasons.
725Texas Southern -726 Wi Green Bay
Johnny Jones is 7-0 ATS (7 Units) in road games after scoring 80 points or more 2 straight games (Coach of TEXAS SOUTHERN)
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NCAAB
Long Sheet
Tuesday, April 2
WICHITA ST (22 - 14) vs. LIPSCOMB (28 - 7) - 4/2/2019, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WICHITA ST is 2-9 ATS (-7.9 Units) when the total is 150 to 159.5 over the last 2 seasons.
WICHITA ST is 5-13 ATS (-9.3 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
LIPSCOMB is 23-13 ATS (+8.7 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
LIPSCOMB is 23-13 ATS (+8.7 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
LIPSCOMB is 8-2 ATS (+5.8 Units) as an underdog this season.
LIPSCOMB is 10-3 ATS (+6.7 Units) after a non-conference game this season.
LIPSCOMB is 11-2 ATS (+8.8 Units) in non-conference games this season.
LIPSCOMB is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) in road games after allowing 80 points or more since 1997.
LIPSCOMB is 10-3 ATS (+6.7 Units) in road games after scoring 80 points or more this season.
LIPSCOMB is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) after playing 3 consecutive road games over the last 3 seasons.
LIPSCOMB is 11-4 ATS (+6.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
LIPSCOMB is 7-0 ATS (+7.0 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games over the last 2 seasons.
WICHITA ST is 230-186 ATS (+25.4 Units) as a favorite since 1997.
WICHITA ST is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in all tournament games this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.
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TEXAS (19 - 16) vs. TCU (23 - 13) - 4/2/2019, 9:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TEXAS is 4-19 ATS (-16.9 Units) as a neutral court underdog of 3 points or less or pick since 1997.
TEXAS is 23-43 ATS (-24.3 Units) when playing with 5 or 6 days rest since 1997.
TCU is 29-16 ATS (+11.4 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 3 seasons.
TCU is 6-14 ATS (-9.4 Units) against conference opponents this season.
TCU is 194-242 ATS (-72.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
TCU is 120-157 ATS (-52.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
TCU is 5-1 against the spread versus TEXAS over the last 3 seasons
TCU is 5-1 straight up against TEXAS over the last 3 seasons
4 of 6 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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HAMPTON (18 - 16) at MARSHALL (21 - 14) - 4/2/2019, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MARSHALL is 36-20 ATS (+14.0 Units) as a home favorite of 3.5 to 6 points since 1997.
HAMPTON is 17-9 ATS (+7.1 Units) in all games this season.
HAMPTON is 17-9 ATS (+7.1 Units) in all lined games this season.
HAMPTON is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
HAMPTON is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games this season.
MARSHALL is 12-22 ATS (-12.2 Units) in all games this season.
MARSHALL is 12-22 ATS (-12.2 Units) in all lined games this season.
MARSHALL is 4-12 ATS (-9.2 Units) after scoring 80 points or more this season.
MARSHALL is 8-15 ATS (-8.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.
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TEXAS SOUTHERN (24 - 13) at WI-GREEN BAY (20 - 16) - 4/2/2019, 9:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WI-GREEN BAY is 7-0 ATS (+7.0 Units) as a home favorite of 3.5 to 6 points over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS SOUTHERN is 8-2 ATS (+5.8 Units) in road games after scoring 80 points or more this season.
TEXAS SOUTHERN is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in all tournament games over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS SOUTHERN is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.
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NCAAB
Tuesday, April 2
Trend Report
Wichita State @ Lipscomb
Wichita State
Wichita State is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
Wichita State is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games
Lipscomb
No trends to report
Hampton @ Marshall
Hampton
No trends to report
Marshall
Marshall is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Marshall's last 5 games at home
Texas @ TCU
Texas
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Texas's last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Texas's last 12 games when playing TCU
TCU
TCU is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
TCU is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Texas
Texas Southern @ Wisconsin-Green Bay
Texas Southern
No trends to report
Wisconsin-Green Bay
Wisconsin-Green Bay is 8-1 ATS in its last 9 games at home
Wisconsin-Green Bay is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games at home
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