Dave Essler | CBB Sides
dime bet – 531 Temple 3.0 (-110) vs 532 Southern Methodist
Analysis: I’ll go ahead and fire the Owls here – Temple needs the game more. They had SMU beat at SMU until the Mustangs made a furious last few minutes’ rally, and lost to SMU at home by five back when Temple couldn’t score. As I said earlier, this should be a very close game and Temple ought to have far more fan support in Hartford than SMU. Looking up and down SMU’s schedule, they’re just more vulnerable at home. Last year they were ranked about where they are this season, and lost to a lesser Temple team in February at Temple. They then proceeded to do very well in the post-season, UNTIL they had to go on the road, or neutral Brooklyn against Minnesota, as it were. I think it’s Temple with the confidence and they’re in SMU’s head a little. This is also a great 1H bet, IMO.
Bonus Play – 520 Kentucky -23.0 (-110) vs 519 Auburn
Analysis: I’ll pay the premium here – but small of course. This is Auburns’ fourth game in four days, and they play up-tempo (see tired). They played a physical and up-tempo team yesterday in LSU. Kentucky did what they do, which is wake up in the second half against Florida. It’s only Kentucky’s second game, and now they’ve seen the venue in Nashville. Because Auburn has won a few – it’s my thinking that they don’t take any prisoners, even tho they destroyed them earlier this season. Auburn’s bench is short to begin with (see tired), and the only way they score is firing three’s. IMO it’s time Kentucky named the score, and I think they do. They’ve got a length advantage over everyone – but a huge one over Auburn. Auburn has the 14th (worst) defense in the SEC – they’re the worst offensive rebounding team – they have the worst interior defense (see size) – they are the worst shot blocking team (see size) and the second worst team in getting shots blocked (see size). The fact that Auburn wants to play fast is only good for Kentucky. More possessions and that’s all there is to that.
dime bet – 531 Temple 3.0 (-110) vs 532 Southern Methodist
Analysis: I’ll go ahead and fire the Owls here – Temple needs the game more. They had SMU beat at SMU until the Mustangs made a furious last few minutes’ rally, and lost to SMU at home by five back when Temple couldn’t score. As I said earlier, this should be a very close game and Temple ought to have far more fan support in Hartford than SMU. Looking up and down SMU’s schedule, they’re just more vulnerable at home. Last year they were ranked about where they are this season, and lost to a lesser Temple team in February at Temple. They then proceeded to do very well in the post-season, UNTIL they had to go on the road, or neutral Brooklyn against Minnesota, as it were. I think it’s Temple with the confidence and they’re in SMU’s head a little. This is also a great 1H bet, IMO.
Bonus Play – 520 Kentucky -23.0 (-110) vs 519 Auburn
Analysis: I’ll pay the premium here – but small of course. This is Auburns’ fourth game in four days, and they play up-tempo (see tired). They played a physical and up-tempo team yesterday in LSU. Kentucky did what they do, which is wake up in the second half against Florida. It’s only Kentucky’s second game, and now they’ve seen the venue in Nashville. Because Auburn has won a few – it’s my thinking that they don’t take any prisoners, even tho they destroyed them earlier this season. Auburn’s bench is short to begin with (see tired), and the only way they score is firing three’s. IMO it’s time Kentucky named the score, and I think they do. They’ve got a length advantage over everyone – but a huge one over Auburn. Auburn has the 14th (worst) defense in the SEC – they’re the worst offensive rebounding team – they have the worst interior defense (see size) – they are the worst shot blocking team (see size) and the second worst team in getting shots blocked (see size). The fact that Auburn wants to play fast is only good for Kentucky. More possessions and that’s all there is to that.
