I recently wrote a few articles about sports betting. I’d like to take it a little further and see how my advice works out. I am going to write a daily synopsis of the NCAA men’s hoops. More specifically, top 25 teams. I’ll give you the lines and my picks. This is where my name is on the line. I can potentially make it easy for Paulie Payday, Eddie and the Producer Cavi to call me out during podcasts. I’ll keep a daily, weekly and yearly stat on how things are going. Here goes nothing!
(16) Purdue (19-5) at Indiana (15-9) Line: Purdue -2
Purdue is a big team that can shoot. Caleb Swanigan is a 6’9 sophomore than can bang inside and shoots 50% from beyond the arc. With injuries hindering Indiana’s starting lineup, Purdue should pull this out. Indiana will need to shoot the 3-ball well if they have a chance.
Tom’s pick: Purdue -2
(8) North Carolina (21-4) at (18) Duke (18-5) Line: Duke -2
This is an interesting matchup that should offer a lot of points. I wrote an article about the Blue Devils and their struggles a few weeks ago. This game is going to come down to the Tar Heels defense. I think they show up enough tonight to get the win.
Tom’s Pick: Tar Heels +2
(7) Wisconsin (20-3) at Nebraska (10-13) Wisconsin -9
This Cornhusker team is mediocre at best. They have some good wins, but also have a lot of losses to so-so teams. I think Wisconsin gets the win, but fails to cover the spread on the road.
Tom’s Pick: Nebraska +9
(25) SMU (20-4) at Temple (13-11) SMU -7.5
SMU travels to take on a Temple team that has won 3 of their last 4 games. SMU has been on a run of their own winning it’s last 5 games by an average of 21.8pts. SMU’s defense will slow down any hopes of an Owls upset.
Tom’s Pick: SMU -7.5
(5) Oregon (21-3) at (10) UCLA UCLA -4
Oregon has been one of the most talked about teams after the beating they put on Arizona. Unfortunately, the Ducks take on a Bruins team that is one of the highest scoring teams in the country. I think the Bruins are going on a Duck hunt tonight and get this win.
Tom’s Pick: UCLA -4
(1) Gonzaga (24-0) at Loyola Marymount (11-12) Gonzaga -17
The number 1 team in the country has one of the biggest point differentials this year. They beat teams on average of 24 points per game. I don’t see the Lions offering anything to decrease that average.
Tom’s Pick: Gonzaga -17
Portland (9-15) at (20) Saint Mary’s (21-2) Saint Mary’s -25
I know Portland is boasting a sub-500 record, but 25 is a lot. Saint Mary’s is shooting over 50% from the field as a team while Portland only shoots 42%. I think Saint Mary’s struggles a little from the field and goes on a few short scoring droughts in this game.
Tom’s Pick: Portland +25