Scott Rickenbach’s College Hoops Game #503 - 2* (Top Play) Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (+) @ New Mexico State @ 9 PM ET – The Bulldogs are offering significant line value in this spot. Many people get hung up on the records in a spot like this and that is what gives us such value in games like this. Only Fresno State is lower in the standings than Louisiana Tech but, keep in mind, those Bulldogs just gave the Aggies all they could handle. New Mexico State had to go to overtime to beat them and so the 8 point final margin should be taken with a grain of salt. Also, these Bulldogs will test the Aggies even further. Louisiana Tech just walloped Fresno State in their last game. Not only have they won two of their last three but the lone loss for the Bulldogs during this run was at Utah State. Of course those Aggies are sitting atop the Western Athletic Conference and the Bulldogs were within four points late in that game before having to settle for an eight point loss. Overall, the Bulldogs have been a very competitive team in conference action and note that they’ve already played five of their conference games against three of the top teams (Utah State, Nevada, and Boise State) in the WAC. Even with that, the Aggies only have two conference losses by more than eight points. In other words, giving Louisiana Tech the nine points (currently they’re +9 for this game) in each of their twelve conference games would have resulted in a 10-2 ATS mark in conference action.
The Bulldogs simply don’t stop fighting. No matter what the score they keep fighting and battling all the way. Also, they’re confidence right now is at an all-time high because they have won two of their last three and the only loss came to the best team in the conference and the Bulldogs gave that team all it could handle. Though Louisiana Tech is not known for it’s scoring prowess, they have been very impressive defensively and that is what keeps them in nearly all their games. Additionally, they have edges here in terms of the youth and inexperience of New Mexico State. We’ve seen this time and time again with the Aggies this season. They are one of the youngest teams in Division I basketball and it shows up in the way they often struggle to put teams away. Look for a repeat of that tonight. Note that New Mexico State has truly been anything but special this season as they’re full season record is just 13-12. Also, none of their last six wins has come by more than ten points and, in fact, the average margin of victory in those games is just 5.5 points per win and that includes the benefit of the aforementioned eight-point overtime win. Had they layed the nine points their laying tonight in their last 11 games, the Aggies would be 1-10 ATS. As you can see, there is tremendous value in this spot with a scrappy Bulldogs team that is also quite talented as Kyle Gibson, Magnum Rolle, and Jamel Guyton are all very capable scorers for this team. Play Louisiana Tech plus the points as a Top Play selection.<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->