Ncaa Basketball Tourney Picks - January 01, 2008
We went 2-1 yesterday and we're now 17-7 over the past week and a half. Three picks today.
Today's NCAA Basketball Picks:
Game: Cincinnati at Louisville (2:30 PM Eastern)
Pick: 2 units on Louisville -13.5 (-110) (risk 2 to win 1.8)
The Bearcats are 0-4 on the road where they manage just over 60 points per game. Louisville is taking no prisoners. They are 7-1 at home and are coming off a game in which they held their opponent, Iona, to 36 points. They have already held six opponents under 60 points. Cincinnati is just 9-23 ATS in confererence games over the past three seasons. They are also 2-9 ATS since last season when coming off a home win. Louisville is 22-8 ATS in their last 30 home games following a blowout 20+ point win.
Game: Clemson at Alabama (4:30 PM Eastern)Pick: 4 units on Game Total UNDER 155 -110 (risk 4 to win 3.6)
Clemson brings its 19th ranked team to Alabama today for a top intersectional contest. Alabama has played much better, and will be confident and motivated playing at home vs a ranked team. The Tide has won six straight. Both teams score (82 per game for Clemson and 79 per game for Alabama). But both play solid defense too, averaging in the mid-sixties in points allowed per game over their last five games. Under Mark Gottfried, the Tide are 22-13 UNDER following a game in which they scored 80+ points. Also, in non-conference games with a total in this range, the UNDER hits at a 60% clip if at least one team is coming off a home win. We like this to be a hard-fought, lower-scoring game.
Game: Illinois State at Wichita State (8:00 PM Eastern)Pick: 3 units on Illinois State -1.5 (-110) (risk 3 to win 2.7)
The Redbirds really have it going right now, as they have won four straight and six of their last seven. The most impressive win coming by 13 at Creighton. The calling card for the Redbirds is defense. They give up under 60 ppg, and only allow teams to shoot 39%. They also are getting large contributions from the bench, as Levi Dyer poured in 20 against Creighton. It will be difficult for the Shockers to find the net in this one as the Redbirds play a very tight defense and Wichita State has only been able to score 62 ppg, on a woeful 40% shooting. The performance on the line last game (9-24) adds even more concern, as they can't afford lost points to stay in this one. We'll ride the hot Redbirds on the road.
Results: 2-1
NCAA Basketball Picks Resources:
Check out the last five NCAA Basketball Picks Newsletters:
NCAA-Basketball-Picks-December-31-2007
Vandy can secure the best start in school history with a win here. They have the two best scorers in the SEC in Shan Foster and AJ Ogilvy who is just a freshman. Between them they are averaging 40 poi...
NCAA-Basketball-Picks-December-30-2007
Air Force travels cross-country here to face a Wake team that is a perfect 7-0 at home and coming off three straight wins. The Demon Deacons have won 11 in a row at home dating back to last season. Ai...
NCAA-Basketball-Picks-December-29-2007
Vanderbilt games have been soring over the total this year but we like this one to come in UNDER. Tennesee Martin is shoting 36.4% from the field on the road. Overall they are averaging 40.5% vs. oppo...
NCAA-Basketball-Picks-December-28-2007
The Saints opened slowly but have caught fire. They have three solid scorers in Hasbrouck, Ubiles and Franklin, all averaging over 15 ppg. St. Joesph's has done a good job so far, but their b...
NCAA-Basketball-Picks-December-27-2007
Tennessee Tech started out 1-5 vs. weak competition. They have won three of their last six, but when facing solid competition, they can't stay close. They lost by 28 to Florida, 17 to Oregon State...
