Dave Cokin
Bonus Play Sunday 3:00 PM NCAAB
(821) BOWLING GREEN at (822) SOUTH FLORIDA
Take: (821) BOWLING GREEN +1.5
Conference play is here, and that makes the majority of the non-conference wrap up games unplayable for me. It’s just too tough to get a read on these games for the most part. But if I think I’ve got a real incentive on one side in a particular matchup, I’m more than willing to give it a shot.
Bowling Green has a date with South Florida today. The Falcons should have no trouble recalling last season’s meeting with the Bulls. Bowling Green got pretty well nailed on its home court in a 75-61 defeat. I’m sure they’d like to return the favor here.
South Florida is in transition. They have a highly regarded new coach in Orlando Antigua, but what they don’t have yet is a highly regarded roster. Antigua is going to turn this program around. He’s going to recruit well and I’ll be very surprised if he doesn’t succeed with the Bulls. But that’s down the road.
For the time being, South Florida remains a study of mediocrity. They also continue to be an awful home team against the number. The Bulls are a woeful 7-22 ATS in their last 29 lined home games. It’s not difficult to see why, as in addition to not having lots of talent, they also don’t have lots of fans. Watch a game at the Sun Dome and the lack of energy is obvious. With the students still on break, it figures to be a mighty quiet building here.
Bowling Green is no great shakes, but first-year head coach Chris Jans has to be pleased with what he’s received from his players thus far. Aside from a terrible game last week against Ferris State, the Falcons have surpassed early expectations.
With the road team off its worst performance of the season and also in possession of a revenge motive, I expect a win from Bowling Green today. I’ll be looking to back the Falcons as a small dog in this one.
