Ncaa College Basketball Predictions - March 02, 2008

We went 4-3 yesterday for +1.7 units. Today we have five picks...

Today's NCAA Basketball Picks:

Game: Providence at Cincinnati (12:00 PM Eastern)
Pick: 2 units on Providence +180 (moneyline) (risk 2 to win 3.6)

Providence has dropped eight of nine and sit at 4-10 on the road this year. They are facing a team that is 10-5 at home. Yet, they are a small dog. That tells us what we already believed - the oddsmakers think Providence can win this game. The Bearcats have lost two straight and they are just 8-19 vs. conference opponents the past two seasons. Over that same span they are 1-7 after having lost two of their last three games and 3-12 after 2+ straight losses. Under head coach Tim Welsh, this Providence team is 6-1 SU coming off a road loss by 20+ points. We see that embarrassing loss to West Virginia motivating the Friars here and we'll play them to get the win.

The Jaspers ruled this conference for many years and that reputation has odds-makers slanting lines that present value on the otherside. The Jaspers are now 5-25 ATS in their last 30 regular season games, worse than any other team. They aren't shooting well, as they are just 42.7% on the season, and playing no defense, as they are allowing opponents to shoot a blistering 47.4%, and 39.1% from three. Iona is defending at 42.5%, and has grown up some since their two-win season of a year ago. The Gaels have put 11 in the win column this season. They have had trouble at home vs the top six teams in the conference, but have handled all others. Manhattan is a bottom tier team, and that's where Iona's wins have come from, and we don't expect that to change today.

This is certainly a mismatch of large proportions, but we like Canisius to stick close enough to cover the large spread. The Golden Griffins have lost nine of their last eleven but they are 23-7 ATS in their last 30 having lost 8+ out of their last ten games. They are also 10-1 ATS the past three seasons on the road having covered 2+ straight games. You see, despite their horrendous SU record, they are covering the number. THey have only lost one game ATS in their last six. Under Joe Mihalich, Niagara is just 14-25 ATS at home after a road game and 10-22 ATS at home vs. a losing opponent.

Fairfield has found some offense of late, putting up 80 ppg over their last four. THey have won seven in a row and gone 6-1 ATS over that run. Rider is the better team, but they have dropped three of five and five of six against the number. Fairfield is 16-5 ATS on the road vs. winning teams the past three seasons. If nothing else, the Stags take care of the ball, committing just 14 turnovers per game. Rider is 4-16 ATS the past three seasons vs. teams that turn it over under 15 times per game. Fairfield is 9-2 ATS as a road dog this season and we lik ethem to notch another ATS win here.

Loyola has won four straight and five of six and this is a very important game with first-place implications in the MAAC as they are tied for first place right now. Over their last five games they are averaging 80 ppg. Maris has been solid at home this season but this game means more to the Greyhounds. Loyola is 11-5 this season vs. conference foes while Marist is 5-10 in their last 15 games instilled as a home favorite of -165 to -250 on the moneyline. Under head coach Patsos, this Loyola team has a winning SU record on the road as an underdog. We'll take them here to win outright.

Results: 2-3

NCAA Basketball Picks Resources:

• View our sportsbook reviews NCAA basketball here.
• Don't forget to read our how to bet NCAA basketball here.
• Don't forget to read our ncaa tournament picks here.
• View our updated 2007 college basketball gambling preivew.
• Don't forget to read our college basketball Game-of-Day-Preview here.
• Hop over to our 2007 college basketball pick season results here.
• Here we show our ncaa march madness brackets.
• Check out our updated NCAA basketball ATS records.
• Check out our updated blog college basketball picks.
• Check out our updated NCAA basketball pick.
• View our updated NCAA basketball record.
• Don't forget to read our college basketball spreads here.

Check out the last five NCAA Basketball Picks Newsletters:

NCAA-Basketball-Picks-March-01-2008
After a 13-0 start the Rebels have fallen hard and this is a must win game if they have any NCAA tourney aspirations. They still have an RPI hovering in the mid 40s and they have to close with some wi...

NCAA-Basketball-Picks-February-29-2008
The Big Red have a three-game lead atop the Ivy League standings, so why get up for this game against lowly Dartmouth? They have won 12 straight and are perfect in conference games. They are coming of...

NCAA-Basketball-Picks-February-28-2008
Notre Dame has been unbeatable at home, but the road has been a different story especially against the top of the conference. They were humiliated at Georgetown by 19 points and at Marquette by 26. As...

NCAA-Basketball-Picks-February-27-2008
Florida is obviously used to being in the Big Dance of late but their fate this season is still to be determined. The scored a big win over South Carolina last Wednesday. They need to keep winning to ...

NCAA-Basketball-Picks-February-26-2008
The Huskies had a 10-game winning streak end at Villonova on Saturday. Even during the streak, the margin for error for this team was very slim. They went through eight games winning by 5, 1, 6, 2, 7,...