NCAA Basketball 2/18

IT’S GOOD TO BE BACK! LET’S JUMP RIGHT IN!

Akron @ Western Michigan (AKR -8, 141) 7 PM

That’s right, I’m back on the Zips. Akron has covered 8 of 9 on the road this season. The one they did not cover was a 2 point win at Ohio in which they were favored by 5 (Yes, this is the game they lead by 16 at halftime and didn’t cover!). Let’s hope that doesn’t happen again. Roll Zips!

Bet: AKR -8
Confidence: 2 Units
Result:

Big Ten Parlay Special!!!

Illinois @ Penn State (PSU -6.5, 141.5) 6:30 PM

These are two teams going in opposite directions.  The Illini have lost 4 in a row and are 1-3 ATS in those games. They have lost by an average of 8 points in those games. The Nitty Lions, on the other hand, have won 8 in a row and are 8-0 ATS in those games, winning by an average of 11.1 ppg. They are also 5-1 SU and ATS in their last 6 home games. Take Penn State.

Purdue @ Wisconsin (WISC -4, 121) 7 PM

I agree, Purdue is one of the toughest teams to bet on or against this season. You have to throw all recency bias (and fan rooting bias) out the window when it comes to this team. But there are trends we can look at here to give us a better clue as to what to expect. The Boilers are just 3-7 SU and 2-8 ATS on the road this season. Meanwhile, Wisconsin is one of the toughest home teams in the past quarter century. They are 11-1 at home this season and 9-1 as a home favorite. I’ll side with the Badgers….which probably means Purdue by 50.

Northwestern @ Maryland (MD -14, 129.5) 8 PM

Ok, this is an easy one. But might as well juice up the odds, even if it is just a little. The Wildcats have lost 9 in a row by an average of 13 points per loss. The Terrapins have won 8 in a row, including coming off a road win at Michigan State, and have lost just twice since December 15^th.  Take the freebie and side with Maryland

Bet: PSU ML/ WISC ML/MD ML (+119)
Confidence: 3 Units
Result: