NCAAB
Write-Up
Tuesday, January 4
Illinois State lost its last four visits to Indiana State 10-4-5-7 points, as home side won seven of last eight series games. Redbirds lost first two MVC games, both by 11 points- they're 1-2 as an underdog this season. Sycamores are 4-1 against the spread as a favorite this year. MVC home favorites are 4-2 against the spread.
Pitt won seven of last eight games vs Providence- they lost last visit to this building two years ago, but won by 27-8 in previous two visits. Big East home underdogs are 2-0 vs spread in league play. First true away game for Panthers, who beat Maryland/Texas on neutral floors. Friars are 0-2 in Big East play, losing to St John's by 2, at Syracuse by 7.
Home side is 10-1 in last 11 UConn-Notre Dame games; Huskies are 1-4 in last five visits here, losing by 6-4-6-8 points. Big East home favorites of 8 or less points are 4-1 vs spread. UConn is 11-1, but lost at Pitt by 15 in its only road game- they're 2-1 as underdogs. Notre Dame is 12-2, losing last game at Syracuse- they're 3-2 as a favorite.
Minnesota won four of last five games vs Indiana, with three of wins by 8 or less points; Hoosiers are 1-4 in last five visits here, losing by 5-19-8-23 points. Minnesota lost its first two Big 11 games- they're 1-5 vs spread in last six games as favorite. Big 11 home favorites are 3-2-1 vs spread. Indiana is 0-3 against the spread as an underdog.
Northern Iowa lost its first two MVC games by total of 3 points; UNI is 12-2 in last 14 games vs Evansville, winning last seven played here by 13-18-3-11-13-7-19 points. Purple Aces are 2-4 vs spread as underdogs, losing by 34 at Wichita in MVC road opener. UNI is 2-3 as favorite, and is having trouble scoring- they haven't scored 70+ against a D-I team.
Creighton won 10 of last 12 games vs Missouri State, winning last five in Omaha by 3-22-21-24-4 points; Bluejays won last six games, taking first two MVC games by 11-16 points- they're 9-1 at home, losing to BYU. Missouri State won its last four games, with a win at Northern Iowa. MVC home teams are 6-4 vs spread in league play.
Home side won last five Drake-Wichita State games; Bulldogs lost five of last six visits here, with losses by 11-5-23-16-23 points. MVC home favorites are 4-2 vs spread, 2-1 if laying double digits. Wichita won first two MVC games by 34-16 points- they've won six games in row, are 3-2 as favorite. Drake is 2-2 as road dog, losing away games by 48-11-16.
Bradley lost first two MVC games by 14-16 points; they're 2-7 in last nine games overall and 4-8 in last dozen games vs Southern Illinois, 3-2 in last five played here. Salukis are 1-3 on road, losing by 22 at Illinois, 7 at Western Kentucky, 14 at Drake. MVC home teams are 4-2 against the spread if spread is 4 points or less.
Colorado State won tourney in Cancun, but then got beat by Hampton at home Saturday, very puzzling loss. Rams swept Wyoming by 10-16 points; LY; home team is 9-5 in last 14 series games, Cowboys are 3-2 in their last five visits here. Wyoming is 0-3 on road, losing at No Colorado by 14, South Dakota by 10, Cal-Irvine by 15 points.
West Virginia lost its first two Big East games, giving up 80 ppg, so this is big game for them, against DePaul team they've beaten four times in a row by 12-12-19-16 points. Double digit favorites are 2-3 vs spread in Big East play. Mountaineers are 2-6 as a favorite. DePaul covered five games in row- they lost first two league games by 16-11 points.
Ohio State won six of last seven games vs Iowa, winning last four in row none by more than 10 points; Buckeyes are 2-4 in last six visits here, with wins by 2-8 points in last two visits. Iowa is 1-2 as a dog this year, losing at home by 10 to Illinois in its Big 11 opener. OSU won by 18 at Indiana in its Big 11 opener. Big 11 home underdogs are 1-3 vs spread.
Texas won two of last three games vs former conference rival Arkansas by 11-4 points; young, talented Longhorns won their last five games, are 11-2, 2-2 as a favorite. This is first true road game for Arkansas squad that is 10-2, losing by 9 to Texas A&M, 5 to UAB. Big 12 double digit favorites are 17-13 vs spread. SEC double digit underdogs are 2-3.
