Tag: ncaa basketball

Ohio State No. 1 seed in latest Joe Lunardi Bracketology NCAA basketball projection

Ohio State has moved all the way up to the No. 1 seed line in the latest ESPN Joe Lunardi Bracektology NCAA projections.

The Ohio State basketball team has met every single challenge it has been presented with so far in 2019 — and do so in impressive fashion. It has eviscerated two top ten opponents, beat a defensive-minded Cincinnati squad, and just blew out a Penn State team that upset a top five Maryland squad Tuesday night.

And for all its spoils so far, the Buckeyes are not only climbing up the national polls, but have recently been projected as a No. 1 seed in the latest Joe Lunardi Bracketology projection.

As for where Lunardi has Ohio State, he has them in the Midwest region playing in Cleveland and playing the winner of one of the First Round play-in games.

Now, before we get too excited and make travel plans, I’ll state the obvious that the calendar only reflects that it’s mid-December and nowhere near March. But the fact that Ohio State was originally pegged as somewhere around a No. 5 seed when these things first came out is showing everyone that Ohio State is again exceeding expectations.

And with a deep roster that has experienced veterans to go along with a fantastic recruiting class that has brought in three talented freshman, this team is poised to perhaps do bit things in 2019-2020.

Ohio State is next in action against Minnesota Sunday.

Michigan at Illinois odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Wednesday’s Michigan Wolverines vs. Illinois Fighting Illini sports betting odds and lines, with college basketball betting picks and tips.

The Michigan Wolverines (8-1, 1-0 Big Ten) and the Illinois Fighting Illini (6-3, 0-1) square off at State Farm Center at 9 p.m. ET in a Big Ten Conference clash. We analyze the Michigan-Illinois odds and betting lines, while providing college basketball betting tips and advice on this matchup.

Michigan at Illinois: Three things you need to know

1. The Wolverines were drummed 58-43 at No. 1 Louisville Dec. 3, but they rebounded with plenty of anger, topping the Iowa Hawkeyes 103-91 at Crisler Center Dec. 6. While they lost the road game to the Cards, they do have impressive late November wins over then-No. 6 North Carolina (73-64) and then-No. 8 Gonzaga (82-64) on a neutral floor at the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament in the Bahamas.

2. Michigan is 41-18-2 against the spread in the past 61 against teams with a winning overall record.

3. Illinois is 2-6 ATS in the past eight against teams with a winning overall record.

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM!

Michigan at Illinois: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:30 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Michigan 88, Illinois 77

Moneyline (ML)

MICHIGAN (+115) is going to win this game outright. An elite team, which beat Gonzaga and North Carolina, isn’t going to lose to an ordinary Illinois club, which has losses to Arizona, Miami (Fla.) and Maryland.

Against the Spread (ATS)

MICHIGAN (+1.5, -110) is worth a rather sizeable bet if you can afford it from your bankroll. Juwan Howard’s club is going to steamroll Illinois (-1.5, -110) on the road in Champaign. The Illini are improving, especially with dynamic freshman C Kofi Cockburn, but they’re not quite there yet.

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on Michigan to stay within 2 points in a loss or win outright would profit $9.09 if it does so.

Over/Under (O/U)

OVER 142.5 (-110) is the play in this one. I love the Wolverines and the Over as part of a multi-unit parlay. If you’re looking to make a little cheddar on Hump Day, that’s the way to go.

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Indiana vs. Connecticut odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Tuesday’s Indiana Hoosiers vs. Connecticut Huskies sports betting odds and lines, with college basketball betting picks and tips.

The Indiana Hoosiers (8-1) and the Connecticut Huskies (6-2) lock horns in the Jimmy V Classic in New York at approximately 9:00 p.m. ET after the Texas Tech-Louisville game is completed. We analyze the Indiana-Connecticut odds and betting lines, while providing college basketball betting tips and advice on this matchup.

Indiana vs. Connecticut: Three things you need to know

1. The Hoosiers won eight straight games to open the season, but they were dumped by 20 points last time out in the Big Ten Conference opener at Wisconsin to splash cold water on their hot start.

2. Huskies G Christian Vital has posted 14.8 points and 8.3 rebounds per game to lead his team.

3. Indiana is just 9-23-1 against the spread in the past 33 games as a favorite on a neutral-site court.

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM!

Indiana vs. Connecticut: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 11 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Indiana 78, Connecticut 66

Moneyline (ML)

INDIANA (-161) is worth a small-unit bet on the moneyline, but they’re a much better value when laying the points with the spread.

Against the Spread (ATS)

INDIANA (-2.5, -110) has covered five of the past seven games overall, and is 5-2 ATS in the past seven when installed as a favorite, too. Connecticut (+2.5, -110) is 4-1 ATS in the past five neutral-site games but is just 2-8 ATS in the past 10 as an underdog in neutral-site contests.

Over/Under (O/U)

PASS (142.5). The total is going to be super close, and the trends are all over the board in this one. It’s all Over all the time for IU, going 7-2 in the past nine overall, and 5-1 in the past six neutral-site games when favored. The Under is 5-1 in UConn’s past six, and 5-2 in the past seven neutral-site affairs.

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Texas Tech vs. Louisville odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Tuesday’s Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. Louisville Cardinals sports betting odds and lines, with college basketball betting picks.

The Texas Tech Red Raiders (5-3) and the top-ranked Louisville Cardinals (9-0) tip it off in the Jimmy V Classic Tuesday in New York at Madison Square Garden. Tip-off set for 7:00 p.m. ET. We analyze the Texas Tech-Louisville odds and betting lines, while providing college basketball betting tips and advice on this matchup.

The Cardinals are ranked first in the USA TODAY Sports men’s basketball coaches poll.

Texas Tech vs. Louisville: Three things you need to know

1. Cardinals F Malik Williams (foot) appears to be fully recovered from a broken right foot. He posted 13 points and 11 rebounds against Pittsburgh Friday for his fourth-career double-double.

2. The Red Raiders are on a three-game non-conference losing streak, falling to Iowa, Creighton and DePaul. They haven’t lost four straight non-conference games since the 1990-91 season.

3. This is the first-ever meeting between these schools on the hardwood.

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Texas Tech vs. Louisville: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:50 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Louisville 66, Texas Tech 57

Moneyline (ML)

AVOID taking Louisville (-333) on the moneyline, as they’re just too expensive. It is generally a bad idea to lay anything more than -160 or -170.

Against the Spread (ATS)

LOUISVILLE (-6.5, -121) will get a nice test from Texas Tech (+6.5, +100), but it’s an assignment they’ll pass with flying colors. The Red Raiders are on a three-game skid, and pulling off a win against the top-ranked team is just not in the ‘cards’. Yeah, I know. That was bad.

Over/Under (O/U)

UNDER 131.5 (-139) is a nice play in the front end of the Jimmy V Classic. The Under is 4-1 in Texas Tech’s past five games against teams with a winning percentage over .600, while the Under has hit in four of the past five for the Cardinals. Look for both of these defensive-minded teams to keep the total well below the number.

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Butler at Baylor odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Tuesday’s Butler Bulldogs at Baylor Bears sports betting odds and lines, with college basketball betting picks, tips and bets.

The Butler Bulldogs (9-0) and Baylor Bears (7-1) square off at Ferrell Center in Waco, TX Tuesday at 9:00 p.m. ET in a battle between top 20 teams. We analyze the Butler-Baylor odds and betting lines, while providing college basketball betting tips and advice on this matchup.

Butler at Baylor: Three things you need to know

1. The Bulldogs have passed all early tests with flying colors, rattling off wins over Minnesota, Missouri, Stanford, Mississippi and Florida so far while going 7-2 against the spread.

2. Graduate transfer C Derrik Smits, son of former NBA center Rik Smits, is out indefinitely for Butler due to a knee injury.

3. Baylor has posted a 4-0 ATS record against teams with a winning record.

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM!

Butler at Baylor: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:30 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Baylor 75, Butler 71

Moneyline (ML)

Baylor (-286) is a bit expensive on the moneyline, so it’s a good idea to pass in this top-20 battle which could go either way.

Against the Spread (ATS)

BUTLER (+5.5, +100) pays plus-money and the Bulldogs are unbeaten, having passed all tests to date. They might not leave Waco with an unblemished record, but Baylor (-5.5, -120) will have trouble covering the number. Look for the Bulldogs to keep it within three buckets.

Over/Under (O/U)

OVER 131.5 (-110) is the play in this one, especially since the total has gone Over in 21 of the past 30 for the Bears, and the Over is 20-8 in the previous 28 for Baylor against teams with a winning percentage over .600. The Over is also 10-3 in Butler’s past 13 games following a cover in its previous outing.

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Gonzaga at Washington odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s Gonzaga Bulldogs at Washington Huskies college basketball matchup, with NCAA basketball betting odds, picks and best bets

The Gonzaga Bulldogs (9-1) and the Washington Huskies (7-1) lock horns in an Evergreen State battle at Alaska Airlines Arena in Seattle at 7 p.m. ET. We analyze the Gonzaga-Washington odds and betting lines, while providing college basketball betting tips and advice on this matchup.

The Bulldogs are ranked ninth in the USA TODAY Sports men’s basketball coaches poll. The Huskies are No. 23.

Gonzaga at Washington: Three things you need to know

1. Washington leads this series 29-18, but the Bulldogs have won 12 of the past 13 meetings in this series, including 81-79 at home last season.

2. Filip Petrusev appears to be the next Zags great, averaging 15.7 points and 8.4 rebounds to lead Gonzaga in both categories.

3. Isaiah Stewart leads the Huskies with 16.5 PPG and 7.6 RPG. The freshman forward also averages 2.0 blocks per game.

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM!

Gonzaga at Washington: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 5:25 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Gonzaga 81, Washington 75

Moneyline (ML)

AVOID. Gonzaga (-200) is a little costly, having to bet double what you want to profit. There is a good possibility this could be a one-possession game, similar to last season’s 81-79 battle in Spokane. Washington is +170.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on Gonzaga to win returns a profit of $5. In other words, every $1 bet on the Zags to win would proft $0.50 if they prevail. Every $1 wagered on the Huskies would profit $1.70 if they win.

Against the Spread (ATS)

A slight leant to GONZAGA (-4, -110). The Zags have posted a 2-5 ATS mark in their past seven road games, but the Huskies (+4, -110) are just 1-5 ATS in the past six as a home underdog. Look for the well-rounded Zags to head back east on Interstate 90 with a feather in their cap, and state bragging rights again.

Over/Under (O/U)

OVER 144 (-110) is the play in this one. Expect Gonzaga to be off and running, with Washington looking to slow things down a little. The Over is a perfect 4-0 in the past four for the Zags, and 5-2 in the past seven against winning teams.

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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North Carolina at Virginia odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s North Carolina Tar Heels at Virginia Cavaliers college basketball matchup, with NCAA basketball betting odds, picks and best bets

The North Carolina Tar Heels (6-2) square off with the Virginia Cavaliers (7-1) in the ACC opener for both at John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, Va., Sunday at 4 p.m. ET. We analyze the North Carolina-Virginia odds and betting lines, while providing college basketball betting tips and advice on this matchup.

The Cavaliers are ranked second in the USA TODAY Sports men’s basketball coaches poll. The Tar Heels are No. 7.

North Carolina at Virginia: Three things you need to know

1. UNC is looking to bounce back after taking it on the chin Wednesday at the Smith Center, falling to No. 6 Ohio State 74-49.

2. The Tar Heels are 1-6 ATS across the past seven games overall, and 1-4 ATS in the past five on the road.

3. Virginia is 0-6 ATS in the past six games overall, and 0-4 ATS in the past four against winning teams. Something’s gotta give in this one.

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North Carolina at Virginia: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:30 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Virginia 64, North Carolina 61

Moneyline (ML)

Virginia (-250) is a little steep on the moneyline, and North Carolina (+200) cannot be trusted after their showing Wednesday. Plus, UNC will be without super frosh F Armando Bacot (ankle), as he is expected to be out indefinitely.

Against the Spread (ATS)

NORTH CAROLINA (+3.5, +115) will be catching a few points in this one, and even though it’s shorthanded, it will be able to keep Virginia within arm’s length. The Cavaliers (-3.5, -139) don’t blow anyone out, and they play a slow, deliberate style which keeps the opposition in it even when they’re not playing their best. Take UNC and the points.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on UNC to win by at least four points returns a profit of $9.09.

Over/Under (O/U)

PASS. The O/U 115.5 (+115, -139) is so low based on Virginia’s deliberate style. The Under is 4-0 in UNC’s past four on the road, and 25-9 in the past 34 overall. For UVA, the Under is 6-2 in the past eight overall, and 7-3 in the past 10 at JPJ. If there is a slight lean on the total, it’s to the ‘Over.’

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Ohio State at North Carolina odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Wednesday’s Ohio State Buckeyes at North Carolina Tar Heels college basketball matchup, with NCAA basketball betting odds, picks and best bets

The Ohio State Buckeyes (7-0) will tussle with the North Carolina Tar Heels (6-1) at the Dean E. Smith Center at 9:30 p.m. ET Wednesday in a battle between top 10 squads in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge. We analyze the Ohio State-North Carolina odds and betting lines, while providing college basketball betting tips and advice on this matchup.

The Buckeyes are ranked sixth in the USA TODAY Sports men’s basketball coaches poll. The Tar Heels are No. 7.

Ohio State at North Carolina: Three things you need to know

1. Ohio State F Kaleb Wesson has been a one-man wrecking crew for the Buckeyes, leading the team in points (12.7), rebounds (9.3) and blocked shots (1.7).

2. The Buckeyes football team is known for its stingy defense, but the basketball team is making headlines in the category, too. The hoopsters are No. 2 overall in scoring defense (52.7 points), while also checking in second in field-goal percentage defense (32.7 percent).

3. North Carolina has won 12 of 14 all-time meetings in this series, including an 86-72 win in the Dean Dome back in 2017.

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM!

Ohio State at North Carolina: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:30 a.m. ET.

Prediction

North Carolina 76, Ohio State 69

Moneyline (ML)

NORTH CAROLINA (-189) will cost you more than against the spread, but it could be a tight game and the extra insurance might be worth it. Ohio State (+155) is battle-tested, having scored impressive wins over Cincinnati and Villanova, but a win in Chapel Hill is a pretty tall order.

Against the Spread (ATS)

NORTH CAROLINA (-3.5, -110) won’t blow the doors off Ohio State (+3.5, -110) as the Buckeyes won’t be intimidated by the environment. But UNC will be the most complete team OSU faces to date. Freshman F Armando Bacot is a handful, posting double-doubles in four of his first five games, and he’ll give Ohio State fits.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on UNC to win by at least four points returns a profit of $9.09.

Over/Under (O/U)

OVER 135.5 (-161) is the play, as this one should sneak into the lower 140’s with a series of late fouls and free throws, helping to inch the game over the line. The Over is 4-1 in the past five meetings in this series, too.

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Notre Dame Basketball: Chris Doherty Leaves Team

Doherty was hardly a key contributor as he’s played just 15 minutes this season. 

As the 6-1 Notre Dame basketball team continues to prepare for No. 3 Maryland in Wednesday night’s ACC/Big Ten Challenge match-up they got news that they’ll be playing short-handed as forward Chris Doherty has left the team.

Doherty was hardly a key contributor as he’s played just 15 minutes this season.  He finishes his Notre Dame career with 15 points and 14 rebounds while appearing in 17 games over the last two seasons.

Mike Brey and the 6-1 Fighting Irish return to action Wednesday night as they take on No. 3 Maryland in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.

Kansas State Wildcats vs Florida A&M Rattlers: Tipoff Time, TV Channel, How to Watch on ESPN+

Watch NCAA Basketball Live Online.

Tonight we have exclusive NCAA Basketball action on ESPN+ with Kansas State (4-2) taking on Florida A&M (0-5) at the Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan, Kansas. Last time K-State hosted a game at the Coliseum, fans watched their team struggle against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, a team ranked 339th (out of 353).

Kansas State Wildcats vs Florida A&M Rattlers

When: Monday, December 2nd

Tipoff: 7 p.m. ET

Venue: Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan, Kansas

Live Stream: ESPN+ Stream College Basketball all season on ESPN+ for only $4.99 a month, Sign up now!

The Rattlers are coming into this game as one of the worst teams in college hoops with a record of 0-5 with all of their losses coming by double digits. They will be looking to upset K-State and hand them their third loss of the season, which could very well happen.

While K-State will try to get back on track tonight after a couple of losses against in the Fort Myers tournament. They were exposed by Pittsburgh and Bradley, both handing Kansas State their first two losses back-to-back of the season.

You can stream NCAA basketball all year with ESPN+ and they are offering a bundle deal right now as well as a Cyber Monday deal today only.

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Plus, if you love sports, the Disney+ / Hulu / ESPN+ deal is a ton of great content and live sports programming

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