NCAAB
Armadillo's Write-Up
Saturday, March 3
Miami won its last three games by 3-1-3 points; they?re 5-3 in ACC home games, losing two of last three, to Virginia/Syracuse. Virginia Tech is 8-3 in its last 11 games; they won four of last five road games, with lone loss at Duke. Miami made 10-21 on arc in 84-75 win at Virginia Tech Feb 3; Hurricanes won four of last six series games. Tech lost last three visits to Miami, by 24-16-6 points. Miami is 2-5 vs spread this season as a home favorite; Hokies are 10-10-1 in last 21 games as road underdogs, 3-3 this year. ACC home favorites are 40-37 vs spread.
Florida was +10 (17-7) in turnovers in 66-64 win at Kentucky Jan 20, a brickfest where teams combined to go 10-47 on arc. Wildcats won six of last eight series games; they lost three of last five visits to Gainesville. Kentucky won its last four games, scoring 81+ points in all four games- they?re 3-5 on SEC road. Florida is 4-3 in its last seven games; they split their last six home games. Under White, Florida is 13-12 as home favorites, 4-4 this year; Kentucky is 2-9-1 in last 12 games as road underdogs, 1-4 this year. SEC home favorites are 48-38 vs spread.
Seton Hall was 11-22 on arc, scored 1.22 ppp in 90-87 win at Butler Jan 6; Bulldogs are 7-3 vs Seton Hall in Big East play, winning all four visits to the Garden State, by 7-4-6-7 points. Butler lost four of last six games, losing last two away games, at Villanova/St John?s. Pirates won three of last four games; their last two games both went OT. Seton Hall are 5-3 in Big East home games in this year. Butler is 10-16 as Big East road underdogs, 1-4 this year; Seton Hall is 11-9 in last 20 games as home favorites, 4-3 this year. Big East home favorites are 25-23 vs spread.
Texas Tech lost its last four games after starting season 22-4; they?ve got couple of guards banged-up. Tech was up 48-24 at half of 83-71 win at TCU Feb 3; Red Raiders are 10-2 vs Horned Frogs in Big X play, winning all five games played here, by 9-6-20-4-6 points. TCU won tis last four games after starting 5-8 in Big X play; Frogs lost six of their last eight road games. Tech TCU is 7-14-2 in last 23 games as road underdogs, 1-2-2 this year; under Beard, Tech is 7-7 as home favorites, 4-4 this year. Big X home favorites are 33-29 vs spread.
Louisville totally blew a game to Virginia Thursday; they lost after leading by 4 points with 0:01 left. Cardinals lost six of their last nine games- they split their eight ACC road games. NC State won four of last five games; they?re 6-2 in ACC home games, losing to Miami/UNC. Louisville won its last three games with NC State by 10-5-25 points, winning 77-72 in only ACC visit here, two years ago. Louisville is 5-1-1 vs spread as ACC road underdogs this year; Wolfpack is 4-0 as home favorites this year. ACC home favorites are 40-37 vs spread.
North Carolina had 20 offensive rebounds, only 2 turnovers in 82-78 home win over Duke Feb 8; teams split last six meetings- UNC lost four of its last five visits to Durham. Carolina won six of its last seven games- they lost last game at home to Miami at buzzer. UNC won its last three road games. Blue Devils won five of last six games; they lost last game by point at Virginia Tech Monday. Duke is 11-14 in last 25 games as home favorites, but 5-3 this year; Tar Heels are 2-9-1 in last 12 games as road underdogs, 1-2-1 this year. ACC home favorites are 40-37 vs spread.
San Diego State won its last five games after a 13-10 start; getting PG Kell healthy was huge. Nevada won its last six games; they?ve played faster tempo games since PG Drew got hurt. Nevada outscored Aztecs 48-23 in second half of 83-58 home win Feb 10; Wolf Pack shot 65% inside arc. Aztecs are 8-2 in last 10 series games, winning all four games played here, by 13-15-24-14 points. Under Musselman, Nevada is 5-6 as road underdogs, 1-0 this year; Aztecs are 7-1 vs spread this season as home favorites. Mountain West home favorites are 30-26.
UCLA/USC are both bubble teams; this is huge game. UCLA outscored USC 22-10 over last 8:09 of its 82-79 home win over the Trojans Feb 3; Bruins made 12-26 on arc in that game. UCLA won last three series games, by 32-2-3 points; they lost last two visits to Galen Center, by 19-8 points. Trojans won their last four games overall and seven in row at home. USC is 12-9 in last 21 games as home favorites, 4-4 this year; under Alford, UCLA is 12-11 as road underdogs, 2-2 this year. Pac-12 home favorites are 35-29. UCLA lost three of its last five games overall.
Cal-Irvine was -10 (22-12) in turnovers in in 64-53 loss at Cal-Davis Jan 4, back when Aggies had Moneke (now suspended) in lineup. Davis is 5-3 in last eight series games, winning last two meetings played in Bren Center, by 21-30 points. Anteaters won eight of last nine games after starting season 8-14; they held six of last seven opponents under 60 points. Davis is 13-8 in last 21 games as road underdogs, 2-1 this year; Irvine is 10-5 in last dozen games as home favorites, 4-3 this year. Big West home favorites are 19-19 vs spread.
Big 14 tournament, New York City
Michigan was +11 (18-7) in turnovers in 82-72 win at Michigan State Jan 13, a foulfest where both sides took 30+ free throws; Wolverines won last two series games, after losing previous five. Michigan is playing for third day in row; they needed OT to beat Iowa Thuraday, but had stress-free win over Nebraska yesterday. Wolverines won their last seven games they?re 6-4 vs top 50 teams this season. Spartans won their last 13 games, but 3 of their last 4 wins were by 5 or less points. State played three starters 32:00+ in yesterday?s 63-60 win over Wisconsin.
Purdue beat Penn State 76-73 at home Feb 18; Boilers are 21-3 in last 24 series games- they beat Lions 64-59 in this event three years ago. Penn State is playing for 3rd day in row; they played three starters 32:00+ in yesterday?s win over Ohio St, when Lions outscored OSU 4-0 over last 1:33 of game to pull out upset win. Purdue beat Rutgers by 7 yesterday, after trailing at halftime; Boilers are 4-5 this season in games decided by 4 or fewer points. Last eight years, Purdue is 1-3 in second game of a conference tournament; they last won this event in 2009.
WCC tournament, Orleans Arena, Las Vegas
San Diego coach Smith is on administrative leave after a domestic violence arrest on Toreros? last road trip; interim coach Scholl is in charge here. Toreros/BYU split pair of games this year; Cougars won first meeting 74-58 at home, then lost 75-62 in Jenny Craig Pavilion Feb 17. USD is 3-5 in its last eight games; they lost seven of last ten games with BYU. Toreros lost in first round of WCC tourney last four years, by 9-3-3-5 points; BYU won its last six WCC tourney games that weren?t against Gonzaga/St Mary?s. BYU won four of its last six games overall.
OVC tournament, Evansville, IN
Belmont made 14-30 on arc in 79-72 home win over Murray State Jan 18; Bruins are 4-2 vs Murray in OVC games, beating Racers 70-68 in OT in ?13 OVC tourney. Belmont won 19 of their last 22 games- they won last 14 games when scoring 70+ points, lost last three times they scored less than 70. Racers won their last 11 games, with last loss Jan 18 at Belmont; Murray is 6-5 in OVC tourney since last winning it in 2012- they?re 7-5 vs teams ranked in top 200. Murray used three kids 37:00+ last night; they had harder game than Belmont (won 94-79) did.
Armadillo's Write-Up
Saturday, March 3
Miami won its last three games by 3-1-3 points; they?re 5-3 in ACC home games, losing two of last three, to Virginia/Syracuse. Virginia Tech is 8-3 in its last 11 games; they won four of last five road games, with lone loss at Duke. Miami made 10-21 on arc in 84-75 win at Virginia Tech Feb 3; Hurricanes won four of last six series games. Tech lost last three visits to Miami, by 24-16-6 points. Miami is 2-5 vs spread this season as a home favorite; Hokies are 10-10-1 in last 21 games as road underdogs, 3-3 this year. ACC home favorites are 40-37 vs spread.
Florida was +10 (17-7) in turnovers in 66-64 win at Kentucky Jan 20, a brickfest where teams combined to go 10-47 on arc. Wildcats won six of last eight series games; they lost three of last five visits to Gainesville. Kentucky won its last four games, scoring 81+ points in all four games- they?re 3-5 on SEC road. Florida is 4-3 in its last seven games; they split their last six home games. Under White, Florida is 13-12 as home favorites, 4-4 this year; Kentucky is 2-9-1 in last 12 games as road underdogs, 1-4 this year. SEC home favorites are 48-38 vs spread.
Seton Hall was 11-22 on arc, scored 1.22 ppp in 90-87 win at Butler Jan 6; Bulldogs are 7-3 vs Seton Hall in Big East play, winning all four visits to the Garden State, by 7-4-6-7 points. Butler lost four of last six games, losing last two away games, at Villanova/St John?s. Pirates won three of last four games; their last two games both went OT. Seton Hall are 5-3 in Big East home games in this year. Butler is 10-16 as Big East road underdogs, 1-4 this year; Seton Hall is 11-9 in last 20 games as home favorites, 4-3 this year. Big East home favorites are 25-23 vs spread.
Texas Tech lost its last four games after starting season 22-4; they?ve got couple of guards banged-up. Tech was up 48-24 at half of 83-71 win at TCU Feb 3; Red Raiders are 10-2 vs Horned Frogs in Big X play, winning all five games played here, by 9-6-20-4-6 points. TCU won tis last four games after starting 5-8 in Big X play; Frogs lost six of their last eight road games. Tech TCU is 7-14-2 in last 23 games as road underdogs, 1-2-2 this year; under Beard, Tech is 7-7 as home favorites, 4-4 this year. Big X home favorites are 33-29 vs spread.
Louisville totally blew a game to Virginia Thursday; they lost after leading by 4 points with 0:01 left. Cardinals lost six of their last nine games- they split their eight ACC road games. NC State won four of last five games; they?re 6-2 in ACC home games, losing to Miami/UNC. Louisville won its last three games with NC State by 10-5-25 points, winning 77-72 in only ACC visit here, two years ago. Louisville is 5-1-1 vs spread as ACC road underdogs this year; Wolfpack is 4-0 as home favorites this year. ACC home favorites are 40-37 vs spread.
North Carolina had 20 offensive rebounds, only 2 turnovers in 82-78 home win over Duke Feb 8; teams split last six meetings- UNC lost four of its last five visits to Durham. Carolina won six of its last seven games- they lost last game at home to Miami at buzzer. UNC won its last three road games. Blue Devils won five of last six games; they lost last game by point at Virginia Tech Monday. Duke is 11-14 in last 25 games as home favorites, but 5-3 this year; Tar Heels are 2-9-1 in last 12 games as road underdogs, 1-2-1 this year. ACC home favorites are 40-37 vs spread.
San Diego State won its last five games after a 13-10 start; getting PG Kell healthy was huge. Nevada won its last six games; they?ve played faster tempo games since PG Drew got hurt. Nevada outscored Aztecs 48-23 in second half of 83-58 home win Feb 10; Wolf Pack shot 65% inside arc. Aztecs are 8-2 in last 10 series games, winning all four games played here, by 13-15-24-14 points. Under Musselman, Nevada is 5-6 as road underdogs, 1-0 this year; Aztecs are 7-1 vs spread this season as home favorites. Mountain West home favorites are 30-26.
UCLA/USC are both bubble teams; this is huge game. UCLA outscored USC 22-10 over last 8:09 of its 82-79 home win over the Trojans Feb 3; Bruins made 12-26 on arc in that game. UCLA won last three series games, by 32-2-3 points; they lost last two visits to Galen Center, by 19-8 points. Trojans won their last four games overall and seven in row at home. USC is 12-9 in last 21 games as home favorites, 4-4 this year; under Alford, UCLA is 12-11 as road underdogs, 2-2 this year. Pac-12 home favorites are 35-29. UCLA lost three of its last five games overall.
Cal-Irvine was -10 (22-12) in turnovers in in 64-53 loss at Cal-Davis Jan 4, back when Aggies had Moneke (now suspended) in lineup. Davis is 5-3 in last eight series games, winning last two meetings played in Bren Center, by 21-30 points. Anteaters won eight of last nine games after starting season 8-14; they held six of last seven opponents under 60 points. Davis is 13-8 in last 21 games as road underdogs, 2-1 this year; Irvine is 10-5 in last dozen games as home favorites, 4-3 this year. Big West home favorites are 19-19 vs spread.
Big 14 tournament, New York City
Michigan was +11 (18-7) in turnovers in 82-72 win at Michigan State Jan 13, a foulfest where both sides took 30+ free throws; Wolverines won last two series games, after losing previous five. Michigan is playing for third day in row; they needed OT to beat Iowa Thuraday, but had stress-free win over Nebraska yesterday. Wolverines won their last seven games they?re 6-4 vs top 50 teams this season. Spartans won their last 13 games, but 3 of their last 4 wins were by 5 or less points. State played three starters 32:00+ in yesterday?s 63-60 win over Wisconsin.
Purdue beat Penn State 76-73 at home Feb 18; Boilers are 21-3 in last 24 series games- they beat Lions 64-59 in this event three years ago. Penn State is playing for 3rd day in row; they played three starters 32:00+ in yesterday?s win over Ohio St, when Lions outscored OSU 4-0 over last 1:33 of game to pull out upset win. Purdue beat Rutgers by 7 yesterday, after trailing at halftime; Boilers are 4-5 this season in games decided by 4 or fewer points. Last eight years, Purdue is 1-3 in second game of a conference tournament; they last won this event in 2009.
WCC tournament, Orleans Arena, Las Vegas
San Diego coach Smith is on administrative leave after a domestic violence arrest on Toreros? last road trip; interim coach Scholl is in charge here. Toreros/BYU split pair of games this year; Cougars won first meeting 74-58 at home, then lost 75-62 in Jenny Craig Pavilion Feb 17. USD is 3-5 in its last eight games; they lost seven of last ten games with BYU. Toreros lost in first round of WCC tourney last four years, by 9-3-3-5 points; BYU won its last six WCC tourney games that weren?t against Gonzaga/St Mary?s. BYU won four of its last six games overall.
OVC tournament, Evansville, IN
Belmont made 14-30 on arc in 79-72 home win over Murray State Jan 18; Bruins are 4-2 vs Murray in OVC games, beating Racers 70-68 in OT in ?13 OVC tourney. Belmont won 19 of their last 22 games- they won last 14 games when scoring 70+ points, lost last three times they scored less than 70. Racers won their last 11 games, with last loss Jan 18 at Belmont; Murray is 6-5 in OVC tourney since last winning it in 2012- they?re 7-5 vs teams ranked in top 200. Murray used three kids 37:00+ last night; they had harder game than Belmont (won 94-79) did.
