Betting news, trends, odds and predictions from various handicappers and websites for Saturday 3/7/20
NCAA Basketball Betting Odds, Preview and Trends for Saturday March 7, 2020
David Schwab
This Saturday’s featured trio of betting matchups are highlighted by a few teams looking to make a deep run towards a national title.
The action starts off with the No. 1 Kansas Jayhawks closing out the regular season on the road against the Texas Tech Red Raiders.
Next up, the No. 8 Seton Hall Pirates close things out in Omaha against the No. 11 Creighton Bluejays. The final season finale pits the No. 10 Louisville Cardinals in a road game against the No. 22 Virginia Cavaliers.
Big 12 Matchup
No. 1 Kansas Jayhawks at Texas Tech Red Raiders
Date: Saturday, March 7, 2020
TV-Time: ESPN, 2:00 p.m. ET
Venue: United Supermarkets Arena
Location: Lubbock, Texas
Opening Odds: Kansas -3.5, Total 133.5
Betting Matchup
Kansas comes into its regular season finale with a straight-up 15-game winning streak after beating TCU 75-66 on Wednesday. It failed to cover the 16 ½-point spread as a home favorite as part of a 6-2 record against the spread over the past eight games. The total has gone OVER in four of the Jayhawks’ (27-3 SU, 18-12 ATS) last six contests.
Center Udoka Azubuike has been a huge part of this team’s success all season long. Playing on a sore ankle, he scored a career-high 31 points with 14 rebounds against TCU.
The Red Raiders slipped to 9-8 SU in Big 12 play with Monday’s 71-68 road loss to Baylor. Even though they covered in overtime with the seven points, they are 2-4 ATS over their last six games. The total has gone OVER in six of their last seven contests. Texas Tech is 18-12 SU overall with a 14-16 record ATS. With four different players scoring in double figures, the team is averaging 72.3 points a game.
Betting Trends
-- The Jayhawks have won their last seven road games SU as favorites with a 6-1 record ATS. The total has stayed UNDER in their last nine games giving points on the road.
-- The Red Raiders are 4-1 SU with a perfect 5-0 record ATS in their last five home games as underdogs. The total has gone OVER in five of their last six games at home getting points.
-- With the earlier win, Kansas improved to 8-2 SU in its last 10 games against Texas Tech. The series is tied 5-5 ATS with the total going OVER in seven of the 10 games.
Big East Matchup
No. 8 Seton Hall Pirates at No. 11 Creighton Bluejays
Date: Saturday, March 7, 2020
TV-Time: FOX, 2:30 p.m. ET
Venue: CHI Health Center
Location: Omaha, Nebraska
Opening Odds: Creighton -3.5, Total 151.5
Betting Matchup
Seton Hall’s 79-77 loss to Villanova on Wednesday as a 3 ½-point home favorite keeps the Big East regular season title in play. An earlier 87-82 loss to Creighton as a 5 ½-point favorite at home makes this a must-win at 13-4 in conference play. The Pirates are 21-8 SU overall but they slip to 17-11-1 ATS after failing to cover in four of their last six games. The total has gone OVER in five of those six outings.
Seton Hall will be facing a tough test on Saturday as road underdogs at Creighton.
Seton Hall will be facing a tough test on Saturday as road underdogs at Creighton. (AP)
Senior guard Myles Powell (23.1 points) scored 14 points in Wednesday’s loss.
The Bluejays are one game off the pace at 12-5 after hammering Georgetown 91-76 on Wednesday as 13-point home favorites. They are 6-1 both SU and ATS in their last seven games with the total going OVER in five of those contests. Creighton is 23-7 SU overall with a 17-10-2 record ATS.
Mitch Ballock led the way on Wednesday with seven three-point buckets as part of his 20-point total. The Bluejays finished well above their 78.4-point scoring average.
Betting Trends
-- The Pirates have a perfect 4-0 record SU and ATS in their last four games on the road. The total has gone OVER in three of those four games.
-- The Bluejays are 6-0 SU and 5-1 ATS in their last six home games. The total has gone OVER or ended as a PUSH in five of those six games.
-- Seton Hall slipped to 6-3 both SU and ATS in the last nine games of this series with the earlier loss at home to Creighton. The total has gone OVER in six of the last eight meetings.
ACC Matchup
No. 10 Louisville Cardinals at No. 22 Virginia Cavaliers
Date: Friday, March 7, 2020
TV-Time: ESPN, 4:00 p.m. ET
Venue: John Paul Jones Arena
Location: Charlottesville, Virginia
Opening Odds: Virginia -1, Total 115
Betting Matchup
The Cardinals are tied with Florida State at 15-4 atop the ACC standings. With two losses to the Seminoles, they need a win on Saturday and some help to claim the regular season title. A spotty 3-3 record both SU and ATS in their last six games has not helped the cause. Louisville (24-6 SU, 15-14-1 ATS) did beat Virginia 80-73 at home on Feb. 8 in a game that ended as a PUSH. The total went way OVER 114 ½ points and it has gone OVER in three of its last five games.
Jordan Nwora scored 20 points with 12 rebounds in Sunday’s 68-52 home victory against Virginia Tech.
Virginia is finding its form at the right time of the season. Since losing to Louisville, the Cavaliers have won their last seven games SU while going 5-1 ATS in their last six contests. The total has stayed UNDER in their last three outings. They are 14-5 in ACC play as part of a SU record of 22-7 (12-16-1 ATS) overall. Virginia has won its last four games by a combined 10 points while failing to score more than 59 points in any of those games.
Betting Trends
-- The Cardinals have lost their last three road games SU and ATS with the total going OVER in the last two games. The total has gone OVER in seven of their last 10 games on the road.
-- The Cavaliers are riding a SU five-game home winning streak with a 3-2 record ATS. The total has stayed UNDER in three of their last four home games.
-- Louisville snapped an extended SU nine-game losing streak to Virginia with the earlier win. The series is now tied 2-2-2 ATS over the last six meetings with the total going OVER in six of the last seven games between the two.
NCAAB
Armadillo's Write-Up
Saturday, March 7
Auburn lost four of its last six games after starting season 22-2; they lost last three road games, by 12-10-7 points. Tigers are experience team #66 that doesn’t shoot well (30.1% on arc, #319, 67.3% on line, #292). Tennessee won at Kentucky Tuesday; they’re 9-8 in SEC, winning last three home games. Tigers rallied back from down 17 with 14:31 left to beat Tennessee 73-66 two weeks ago; Vols turned ball over 24 times (-13). Auburn won its last four games vs coach Pearl’s old team; their 94-84 win here LY was their first in last nine tries.
Wisconsin was up 20 at the half, waxed Indiana 84-64 at home Dec 7; Badgers shot 61% inside arc, were +8 (12-4) in turnovers. Wisconsin won eight of last ten series games; they lost three of last four visits to Assembly Hall. Wisconsin won its last seven games after starting out 6-6 in Big 14; five of those games were at home. Badgers are continuity team #26 that is 4-5 on Big 14 road, winning last two away games. Indiana is squarely on bubble; they’re 9-10 in conference, winning last three home games. Hoosiers scored 65 or fewer points in their last six losses.
Baylor split its last four games after starting season 24-1; Bears beat West Virginia 70-59 at home three weeks ago, shooting 60% inside arc in game where both teams had 20+ turnovers. Baylor won last three series games, by 12-7-11 points; they split last six visits to Morgantown. Baylor has three losses this year, all by 3 points; check status of 6-5 junior Vital, who missed last game Monday. West Virginia lost six of its last eight games, is 8-9 in Big X- they lost two of last three home games. WVU is making 28.4% of its 3’s (#340), 63.8% on foul line (#335).
Kentucky won eight of its last nine games, losing last game at home to Tennessee; Wildcats are 14-3 in SEC, winning last four road games, by 14-14-9-3 points. Kentucky has #39 eFG% defense in country. Florida won seven of its last ten games, is 11-6 in SEC, winning last four home tilts. Gators (#345) are actually less experienced than Kentucky (#335). Kentucky beat Florida 65-59 at home two weeks ago, after trailing by 7 early in 2nd half. Quickley scored 26 for the Wildcats. UK is 4-3 in last seven series games, but they lost two of last three visits to the Swamp.
Kansas can clinch another Big X regular season title here; Jayhawks won their last 15 games, winning last nine road games, last two by total of seven points. Kansas has #4 eFG% defense in country. Texas Tech lost its last three games, is 9-8 in Big X, winning four of last five home games. Red Raiders force turnovers 23.3% of time (#15). Kansas jumped out to a 19-4 lead, never trailed in its 78-75 home win over Tech Feb 1; Jayhawks won 19 of last 21 series games (3-2 in last five); their loss in Lubbock LY was their first here in last nine visits.
Rutgers outscored Purdue 25-7 on foul line in its 70-63 home win over Purdue Jan 28, their first Big 14 win in nine tries against Purdue. Scarlet Knights lost their last four trips to Mackey Arena, by 7-19-35-31 points. Rutgers is 10-9 in Big 14, likely headed to NCAAs for first time since ’91, but they lost their last six road games- their last road win was Jan 3 at Nebraska. Knights are a good defensive team (#21 eFG% defense), but can’t shoot (30.1% on arc, #317). Purdue beat Indiana/Iowa in its last two games, can finish 10-10 in conference with a win here.
Colorado is continuity team #3 that is 10-7 in Pac-12, but they scored only 63 ppg in losing last three games- they’re 2-4 in last six road games; Buffaloes are 16-68 on arc (23.5%) in last three games. Colorado appears to be safely in field of 68. Utah lost five of its last six games, is 6-11 in Pac-12, but 6-2 at home. Utes are experience team #351; Pac-12 foes are shooting 38.1% on arc against them, worst in league. Colorado shot 67% inside arc, was up 22 at half, pounded Utah 91-52 at home Jan 12; home side won last eight series games. Buffs lost their seven visits to SLC.
Creighton/Seton Hall are playing for #1 seed in Big East tourney. Creighton had four players score 18 points each in its 87-82 win at Seton Hall Feb 12; Pirates’ star Powell was 3-16 from floor that nite (12 points). Seton Hall is 8-6 in series games, 3-3 in Omaha. Pirates split their last six games after starting Big East play 10-1; Hall lost tough home game 79-77 to Villanova three nites ago- they’ve got #15 eFG% defense. Creighton won 10 of its last 12 games; they made 17-36 3’s in their last game, are shooting 38.2% on arc (#10), getting 37% of points in arc (#37).
UCLA won seven in row, 11 of last 13 games, is tied for first with Oregon atop Pac-12; Bruins won their last three road games, at Arizona-Utah-Colorado. UCLA’s bench plays #58 minutes in country; they’re a young (#331 experience) team. USC swept the Arizona schools LW, is 7-1 at home in Pac-12. Trojans have #12 eFG% defense in country, but turn ball over 20.5% of time (#274). USC shot 61% inside arc, won 74-63 in Pauley Pavilion Jan 11; UCLA won five of last seven series games, but lost three of last four visits to Galen Center.
Virginia won its last seven games, six of them by 3 or fewer points; they won their last five home games. Cavaliers allowed 50.8 ppg in last four games. Louisville beat Virginia 80-73 at home Feb 8, despite Cavaliers making 11-22 on arc; that was Cardinals’ first win in last ten series games. Louisville is 0-5 at Virginia in ACC meetings, with losses by 5-22-16-10-5 points. Louisville split its last six games after starting 12-1 in ACC; Cardinals lost their last three road games, by 6-15-15 points. Louisville is experience team #35 that is shooting 37.5% on arc (#15).
Duke rallied back from down 13 with 4:04 left to win 98-96 in OT at North Carolina Feb 8; Tar Heels were only 21-38 on foul line, turned ball over 18 times (-6). Teams split last dozen series games; teams also split last four games in Durham. UNC scored 90 ppg in winning its last three games after starting ACC play 3-13. Tar Heels made 21-43 on arc in last two games, are at 30.8% for season on arc, in ACC play. Duke lost three of last five games, with all three losses on road; Blue Devils are 14-5 in ACC, winning their last six home games.
Ohio Valley tournament, Evansville, IN
Belmont won its last ten games, finished 15-3 in OVC; they split pair with Murray State TY, are 8-5 vs Racers as OVC rivals, but lost to Murray in last two OVC tourneys. Belmont has #7 eFG% in country, shooting 35.5% on arc (#62), 57.2% inside it (#4). Belmont is 8-5 in OVC tourney since joining league; they last won OVC title in 2015. Murray State won its last four games, allowing 60.3 ppg; they had to work harder than Belmont last nite. Under McMahon, Murray State is 8-3 in OVC tourney, winning last two titles, but they had Ja Morant last two years.