College Hoops Predictions - February 07, 2008

We went 4-3 last night for our 31st winning night out of the last 43. We are +65.7 units over that span ($6,570 for $100 players). Tonight we again have seven picks...

Today's NCAA Basketball Picks:

Game: Clemson at Virginia (7:00 PM Eastern)
Pick: 3 units on Virginia +2 (-110) (risk 3 to win 2.7)

Clemson comes in off a stomping of Boston College (78-56) which is why we see them laying points to a decent Virginia team here. But let's not overreact to one blowout. The fact is that Clemson has generally underperfomed of late. Prior to that BC game, they lost by 13 to Duke, beat Wake by only 5 and lost to Miami by 3 points. They lost all three of those games ATS. Three of their five losses have come on the road where their defense is not very good. Virginia is just 11-9 overall but 9-3 at home where they are scoring 81 per game and winning by 16 ppg. Sean Singletary can take over any game and he and two other players are averaging double-digit scoring. Clemson is 0-6 ATS the past three seasons on the road vs. good offenses (teams scoring 77+ per game) while the Cavs are 6-0 ATS at home to a line of -3 to +3 over the past two seasons.

Morehead State hasn't lost at home this season and they get a team on the downswing here. SEMS has lost seven of their last eight games to drop to .500. This team has to be immensely dissapointed and dejected right now. The 9-0 home start for the Eagles is their best since 1982. They have covered 10 of the last 13 vs. SEMS, and have the momentum and emotional edge. Their defensive advantage is colossal as they give up just 61.4 per game at home while SEMS allows 82.6 per game on the road. Over their last five games, SEMS is giving up 93.4 per game! Eagles here.

This is the WAC's best in Boise State vs the WAC's worst in Louisiana Tech. Tech is winless to date in the conference and they have yet to find the win column since December. Tech has been pounded on the boards, as they have averaged a 10 rebound deficit per game, and their only double-digit scorer shoots under 40%. The Bulldogs manage just 58 ppg on one of the worst shooting percentages in the country at 39%. The top four scorers for Boise State average more than the entire Bulldog team, and their 51% shooting, along with 40% from three, will be more than the Bulldogs can overcome.

Both teams appear very good on paper. But, Portland State really is quite bad on the road. They are 8-1 at home but just 3-6 in away games. Northern Arizona is 8-2 at home, scoring 80.6 ppg. That's 16 ppg more than what Portland State gets on the road. PSU is on a bit of a roll but they are 6-15 ATS the past three seasons after having won 4+ of their last six games. Northern Arizona is 11-3 ATS as a home favorite of 6 or less the past three seasons. They are also 21-8 ATS in their last 29 home games after allowing 80+ in their last game.

The once home dominant Illini have lost the edge in a rebuilding season. The only two wins at home have come against the Big-10 doormats Michigan and Northwestern. Those two wins are in fact their only Big-10 wins period. Throw in home losses to Miami Ohio and Tennessee State and this team has really taken a hit this season. They just have no answers on the offensive end. Indiana brings its most talented team in a long time to Champagne for this one. Indiana has not won a game here since March 10th, 2001. It's time for the Hoosiers to exorcise a demon, as Illinois was a dominate force for a so long in the Big-10. But Indiana is back, with a vengence for this one!

Xavier has won four in a row and sits at 18-4 overall and 6-1 in league play. They have earned their #13 ranking and will bring it tonight in St. Louis. They aren't done with their statement. The Musketeers lead the Atlantic ten in scoring margin (+16), rebounding margin (+6.8) field goal percentage, free throw percentage and assist-to-turnover ratio. They can beat you in many ways as they have six players averaging double digits in scoring. Saint Louis gets just 62.3 ppg here at home. They have a slight defensive edge but not by much. Xavier has covered eight of ten vs. winning teams this season and will make it nine of eleven tonight.

The Racers have been a red-hot team, as they are coming together at just the right time. They have now gone 9-1 in their last 10, and stand at 10-4 in the league. Eastern Kentucky has moved back into the race with a 5-1 run, that leaves them at 8-5. Tyler Hollaway appears to be the difference here, as he is connecting on 49.5% of his threes for the Racers. The Racers have four players averaging in double-digits and Eastern Kentucky has averaged just 63 ppg on the season. They often goes through scoring droughts, which is the difference here. The Racers have a bit of extra incentive, redeeming a 1 point loss to EKU earlier.

Results: 2-4

NCAA Basketball Picks Resources:

• Take a look at our sports betting NCAA basketball here.
• Hop over to our NCAA basketball sports handicapping philosophy here.
• Hop over to our ncaa final four here.
• View our 2007 college basketball handicapping preivew here.
• View NCAA basketball Game-of-Day-Preview here.
• Updated today: 2007 NCAA basketball prior picks.
• View our ncaa march madness brackets here.
• View college basketball ATS recrds here.
• Read our college basketball blog here.
• Updated today: college basketball predictions.
• Check out college basketball prior picks here.
• View college basketball spreads here.

Check out the last five NCAA Basketball Picks Newsletters:

NCAA-Basketball-Picks-February-06-2008
ODU is 8-4 at home but just 3-6 on the road. They have been known for defense this season but right now it's Northeastern who is playing tenacious D. The Huskies have held each of their last two o...

NCAA-Basketball-Picks-February-05-2008
The Bulls have lost nine straight yet are somehow expected to keep this one close on the road, where they are 0-10 this season. We aren't buying it. They are off two straight OT losses which does ...

NCAA-Basketball-Picks-February-04-2008
The Spartans have now gone 10-2 in their last 12 game and are playing with confidence. Kyle Hines has been a dominating player lately. He has averaged 22 points per game, 10.7 rebounds per game and 2....

NCAA-Basketball-Picks-February-03-2008
Karl Hobbs has had some very good teams at George Washington, but this isn't one of them. The Colonials are 0-8 on the road and have lost by an average of over 20 points a game. They shoot just 41...

NCAA-Basketball-Picks-February-02-2008
This young Gator team has only ventured out on the road four times all season, and has found out life is different on the road as they have met two losses and a narrow escape in those four games. The ...