NCAA Basketball Picks 2/5/08
Written February 5, 2008 by Jack Jones
Let’s get back yesterday’s loss with a slate of five winners on the college basketball court tonight. We are feeling pretty good about this list of games, so take our predictions to the bank.
DePaul +7
Providence does not do a very good job of covering the 3-point ball, and DePaul shoots enough of them to take advantage of that weakness. Providence is just 1-10 ATS the last two years against teams who hoist up more than 21 3-point attempts per game and they are 0-10 ATS after a double digit loss to a conference rival. DePaul has traveled well this year going 6-0 ATS away from home. Take the points tonight.
Illinois State -3
Drake has a great record but they have been squeaking by opponents as of late and we like that trend to catch up with them tonight against Illinois State. The Red Birds are 11-0 at home this season and have an average margin of victory of 16.6 ppg on their home floor. This Illinois State team nearly beat Drake at the Knapp Center a month ago, losing by six points. With the Red Birds the only team left in the Missouri Valley that has a chance to catch the Bulldogs, we expect them to come out motivated and looking for the win tonight.
Buffalo +1.5
This is more of a play against Northern Illinois than it is one for Buffalo. Northern Illinois is 1-9 ATS off a home loss to a conference rival the last two years and 1-8 ATS on their home floor as a small favorite or underdog. Buffalo is 6-14 and 2-11 on the road, so it’s a wonder here why they aren’t catching more points. The answer is that Northern Illinois isn’t very good either.
UAB +1
UAB has won seven of their last eight games and is starting to look pretty impressive in Conference USA play. The same can’t be said for Southern Miss who is just 3-7 over their last ten games. UAB beat Southern Miss by seven points back in the middle of January and we see them having no problem taking care of them again here Eagles home floor.
Iowa State +6.5
This line is dropping quickly as bettors think that Iowa State can cover this big number tonight against the Aggies. The reason may have a lot to do with “Hilton Magic” as the Cyclones are known for taking care of business and upsetting ranked opponents on their home floor. Since 1997, 18 teams have come in with an average margin of victory over 12 points during the second half of the season, and only 4 have covered the spread. We see that trend continuing here tonight and are taking the Cyclones in an upset.