CBB: Super Tuesday of College Hoops
Tonight's lineup of college basketball on ESPN figures to make it a truly "Super Tuesday" and for those of you snowed in around the country, it's a good time to just sit back, watch & wager on some top shelf action. Read on for a preview of three compelling games, then head over to the LIVE ODDS and GAME MATCHUPS pages on Sportsbook.com for more key betting info.
Volunteer State Scuffle
Vanderbilt and Tennessee are positioned one game behind Kentucky in the SEC East and the winner will be no worse off at the completion of this conflict. Vanderbilt (17-5, 10-9 ATS) blew a golden opportunity Saturday to stay tied with the Wildcats falling at last place Georgia 72-58 as 4.5-point favorites. The Commodores shot 32.8 percent from the field (6-23 from 3's) and did a poor job defensively as the Bulldogs shot 53.2 percent and had nearly as many assists as baskets. Vandy will have to be much more efficient at home since they are 5-13-1 ATS off a SU loss.
Tennessee (18-4, 9-10 ATS) continues to confound, winners of three in a row after suffering a pair of SEC losses, one of which was to Vanderbilt. Wayne Chism is off a career high 30 points against South Carolina and he needs to be a defensive stalwart on the road. The Vols are just 2-5 ATS in last seven conference games.
The Volunteers are 13-5-1 ATS in the last h2h 19 battles, including 7-2 ATS at Vandy and are 3.5-point road underdogs at Sportsbook.com. This contest is on ESPN at 7 Eastern.
State Line Collision
Illinois and Wisconsin really don't have much of a rivalry except for those that live on either side of the border between the two states. Folks south of the border see Wisconsin as a nice quiet place to visit for vacations and those from the Badger State have little use for "those Flat-landers". The Kohl Center will be no vacation spot for coach Bruce Weber's club, who is off its signature win of the season against Michigan State 78-73. The Fighting Illini (16-8, 8-13-1 ATS) has won four in a row and is in three-way tie for second place, one game behind Michigan State, however they are only 2-7-1 ATS off a cover since last season.
The Badgers (18-5, 13-8 ATS) have just taken care of both Michigan schools and return home where they are 13-0 and 8-3 ATS this season. Wisconsin is receiving fine performances Keaton Nankivil and Jordan Taylor, both who have raised their play since Jon Leuer was injured and coach Bo Ryan has developed a little depth with forward Ryan Evans and guard Rob Wilson making solid contributions. Off their win and cover at Ann Arbor, Wisconsin is 10-2 and 7-3 ATS after covering the odds-makers number.
Wisconsin is a 9.5-point favorite and is 3-0-1 ATS the last four times Illinois has visited with the Under is 4-1 in the Mad City. This encounter is on the Big Ten Network at 7 Eastern.
Spartans in survival mode
Michigan State (19-5, 8-15 ATS) had kept winning, yet aesthetically was far from pleasing in starting Big Ten play 9-0. This past week it came crashing down, as the Spartans were blasted by the Badgers for their first conference loss and with injured Kalin Lucas on the sidelines, could not match baskets with a rejuvenated Illinois club. Lucas' status is still up in the air for tonight and it is time for other players to assert themselves, since Purdue is in town and their mindset is aggressive.
It seems odd that a Top 20 team would still be tinkering with main players in February, yet this is exactly what coach Matt Painter has been doing. A few Purdue (19-3, 10-12 ATS) bench players and occasional starters have been erratic. Nobody would prefer to have certain individuals step up more than Painter, with eight Big Ten games left on the docket. Sophomore point guard Lewis Jackson has played 41 total minutes in three games since returning from a broken left foot that sidelined him and some of the rust is starting to come off which would help since the Boilermakers are 4-14 ATS as a road underdog of 3.5 to 6 points.
First place Michigan State is favored by 2.5-points at Sportsbook.com and is 9-1 and 7-3 ATS at the Breslin Center vs. Purdue with 6-2 UNDER mark. Game time will be just after 9 Eastern on ESPN.
NBA: Tuesday night NBA totals opportunities
Tonight in professional basketball, our focus is on checking out the latest trends on totals. Many sharp bettors will tell whoever is listening that the best way to beat the NBA is to play totals, with the numbers often more difficult to beat on side action. With that in mind, here are a few angles on totals that might be worth considering tonight. Get the latest numbers available on the LIVE ODDS page of Sportsbook.com.
Less than two weeks ago, who didn't want to play the Minnesota Timberwolves, since a relatively easy victory awaited any team that put forth the effort. However, since then the T-Wolves have turned on the switch. Minnesota's unlikely uprising has coincided with putting the ball in the basket, shooting 50 percent or better in four consecutive games in which they have won and covered. The Timberwolves are on a 6-1 OVER run and as they head to Philadelphia and Minny is 16-9 OVER on the road this season. Sportsbook.com is producing a 205.5 figure on this matchup and Minnesota is 10-2 OVER in a road game where the total is 200 to 209.5 this season.
Any game Indiana is involved in just has the feel of an Over. The Pacers are 25th in points allowed at 104 per game and are average offensively at 99.1 PPG. Oddsmakers have had a good read on Indiana most of the season in the totals category, since they are 29-21-1 UNDER for the year. The Pacers are a 1.5-point home favorite against Chicago tonight with total of 203.5 and are 10-2 UNDER as a home favorite of six points or less this season. This Central Division contest also shows the Bulls leaning one way, as they are 8-1 UNDER when the total is greater than or equal to 200 this campaign.
Those trying to sell Sacramento and New York as a defensive conflict are simply trying to fool sports bettors. The total is 212.5, which is the lowest in three previous meetings between these teams, all that went Under the number. Even with this change of events, eight of the last dozen games between these mediocre teams have gone OVER and the Knicks are 13-3 OVER in February games since last year. However, maybe oddsmakers know something. The Kings are on a three-game Eastern swing, having lost six in a row and are 11-1 UNDER after failing to cover the spread in two or more consecutive games. New York allowed 74 points in the first half of its last contest to the Cavaliers, but came back to cover in a loss at Cleveland. The Knickerbockers are 10-1 UNDER after trailing in their previous game by 20 or more points at the half over the last three seasons. Maybe this East vs. West affair isn't as obvious as it looks.
The Utah Jazz have won eight in a row and 12 of 13 to move within two games of division leading Denver. Utah's offense has been incredibly effective in this stretch, averaging 110.7 points per game and they are 9-4 OVER. The Jazz defeated Denver 116-106 last time out and are 13-4 OVER in road games after scoring 110 points or more. The Clippers can't possibly keep up with Utah in a high scoring tilt and are 17-7 UNDER at the Staples Center this season. Los Angeles lost at Utah in their third game of the season by 13 points and is 9-1 UNDER in home games revenging a road loss vs. opponent of 10 points or more this season. Sportsbook.com odds-makers opened this encounter at 198.5 and NBA totals players have hit it hard, raising it three points.
