College Hoops Super Tuesday
#7 Iowa State Cyclones host the #5 Texas Longhorns in a huge Big 12 matchup in Ames, Iowa tonight.
Another winning day yesterday going (3-2) missing on the LaSalle Explorers and Minnesota Golden Gophers. We head into Super Tuesday posting a (20-18) record. Time to get into this big slate of college basketball!
Ole Miss Rebels vs. South Carolina Gamecocks (+5.5); total 130; 5:30pm ct
We are going back to the Gamecocks at home after they no showed for us on Saturday at home against Texas A&M. The Aggies dominated on the glass and beyond the arc. SC will be ready to bounce back after a performance like that post Kentucky hangover. We also talked about how the Rebels continue to be over valued. They do not deserve to be more than 5 point favorite against any team from the SEC. I’m backing the ‘Cocks to bounce back in a very winnable game. SC has better offense and defense than the Rebels.
#1 Kansas Jayhawks vs. #13 Kansas State Wildcats (+1.5); total 147.5; 6:00pm ct
Kansas State reached the top 10 and came crumbling down on the road against a very good TCU team. The Wildcats now get to host the Jayhawks in the Octo Dome with a team that is just as good as any in the Big 12. K-State got its bad game out of the way and behind themselves while Kansas has been struggling, stealing close wins at home. I like the Wildcats to take down big brother at home in the Little Apple Manhattan, Kansas.
Creighton Blue Jays vs. Butler Bulldogs (+7); total 139.5; 6:00pm ct
I think the Butler Bulldogs found something in its win vs. Villanova on Friday. We were all over Butler before the news of Manny Bates being out. He’s questionable tonight. Creighton is coming off of a huge win a home against Providence and is now laying 3 on the road in Hinkle Fieldhouse. Too many points for Creighton to be laying on the road. They have improved recently but not as a road team. I expect Hinkle to be rockin’ for another top Big East matchup. Give me the Bulldogs with their experienced guards and hoping Manny Bates suits up to protect the paint vs. the Blue Jays 7 footer. Even without Bats I like the Bulldogs.
#5 Texas Longhorns vs. #7 Iowa State Cyclones (-2.5); total 130.5; 7:00pm ct
The Longhorns last two games have been battles. A crazy comeback to defeat TCU at home then a back and forth game vs. Texas Tech. The Cyclones are in great form as well losing its last game on the road against Kansas. I think this is where the Longhorns’ tough stretch finally gets to them and ISU get the win here. The Iowa State offense will be fast and trigger happy like Kansas State and TCU - both teams UT struggled with. I like the Cyclones to win by more than 4 points tonight.
#2 Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Vanderbilt Commodores (+8.5); 154.5; 7:30pm ct
Styles make fights and this is one I have seen and been burnt by many times before. This is definitely a stinker but a situation I have loss enough to learn from my mistake. The Crimson Tide roll into Nashville, TN after destroying LSU at home by 40 points, making over 20 3PT, shooting 20 FTs and had 50 rebounds. Alabama is one of if not the best team in the country BUT they still have to play Vandy and can’t just mark a W. The Commodores may not have won every game against Bama but they also keep it close especially at home. Alabama struggles against Vandy only 1-5 against the spread its last 6 matchups. I’ll hold my nose and cheer on Jerry Stackhouse’s Commodores tonight.
Analysis on other games tonight:
#12 Tennessee Volunteers (-6) vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs
Laying 6 points on the road with the Vols coming off a big home loss to Kentucky feel like too many. The Vols have had good experience against MSU but I’m not ready to lay the road points with the Volunteers.
#3 Houston Cougars (-11.5) vs. Tulane Green Wave
Houston has historically had no issues with Tulane with any double digit spread that has been posted. Houston is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 vs. Tulane. The Green Wave may have its best team to matchup with the Cougars at home so taking the 11.5 is not a terrible idea but history will not be on your side. If you were going to take a flyer on Tulane tonight but be the night.
North Carolina State (-6) vs. Georgia Tech
NCST is coming off a huge OT win vs. Miami at home on Saturday. Laying 6 points on the road against a scrappy team like GT doesn’t sound ideal. We had GT +3 Saturday at home against Pitt and they could never close the door. It’s hard to trust the GT offense for 40 minutes. I lean GT and its defense at home but the offense is what scares me.
Florida State vs. Notre Dame (-5)
I’m seeing the line is climbing for FSU and is now up to 5. The Seminoles have improved since the beginning of the season. Notre Dame has been struggling as well lately. This number should be no higher than 3 points. At 5 that is a lean towards the ‘Noles on the road.
Penn State vs. Wisconsin (-3.5)
Wisconsin has been struggling lately even at home. Penn State hasn’t made a push in conference but has been keeping games close. They also play the Badgers tough every time out. I would not want to lay any points with the Badgers right now. If this gets to 4, that would be a nice price point for the Nittany Lions. I’d play PSU before Wisky.
Baylor vs. Texas Tech (-2.5)
The Baylor Bears are road dogs again, this time against a winless conference team in the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Those who follow the Big 12 just know there is going to be a game where Tech turns it around and gets a win. Baylor started off 0-3 in conference and now every game is crucial to them. Baylor has turned things around but can they get a road win against the struggling Red Raiders? Tech has historically been strong against Baylor at home. Would prefer Tech as dogs in this spot. Toss up game with a hook on the 2. Hard to play it.
Georgia vs. Kentucky (-11)
I have been a fan of Georgia this season and how they have been playing but this will be a tough matchup for them. Kentucky is basically full strength with no injuries. They were healthy and destroyed Tennessee on the road. Possible hangover with UK tonight but I’m not willing to step in front of that train. I also wouldn’t lay double digits over 10.
Wyoming vs. Air Force (-4.5)
This feels like the perfect time to play Air Force at home but that hook is holding me back. I think the Falcons can win this one easily with the season they have been having but Wyoming is capable of keeping this game close. Was hoping this was under 4 points. I lean Air Force at home.
UNLV vs. Utah State (-7)
UNLV has struggled with Utah State and this season they have a great team. They don’t have as much size in the paint as last year but the veteran guards have been great. I would have laid 6 points with the Aggies but the 7 allows for UNLV to hang around and back door. Utah State could very well win this one running away. I lean Utah State.
Nevada vs. Boise State (-5.5)
I leaned Nevada in this game. Too many points for nearly even teams. Nevada already won at home this year by 2 points. After factoring in home court advantage for two even teams I feel 5.5 is at least 2 points too many.
