Armadillo Sports
Thursday’s 6-pack
Conferences whose games are played at the slowest tempo:
32) Metro Atlantic
31) Big 14
30) Mountain West
29) Patriot League
28) Big South
27) Big Sky
Quote of the Day
“We don’t feel like we’re pressed, but that doesn’t mean our eyes aren’t on a quarterback.”
Detroit Lions’ coach Dan Campbell
Thursday’s quiz
In the old TV show Gilligan’s Island, what was the rich guy’s name?
Wednesday’s quiz
In the movie A Star is Born, Sam Elliott played Bradley Cooper’s brother.
Tuesday’s quiz
Trailblazers’ star Damian Lillard played his college basketball at Weber State.
********************************
Thursday’s Den: Doing some thinking out loud……..
— Alabama 90, Auburn 85 OT— This was as fiercely played a regular season game as I can remember seeing; Auburn led by 17 at one point, but in a game that didn’t end until 9:50 pm (started at 7:00), the host Crimson Tide won and with it, the regular season title in the SEC is also theirs.
Auburn has lost eight of its last eleven games, is now a bubble team that is trending in the wrong direction.
— Tennessee point guard Zakai Zeigler tore his ACL Tuesday night, is out for the year; Zeigler was averaging 10.7 ppg, 5.4 assists/game for the 22-8 Vols.
— Iowa State tossed senior guard Caleb Grill off the team Wednesday, a week before the Big X tournament, a huge red flag for the team. On January 10, the Cyclones were 13-2, but since then they’ve lost nine of 13 games, losing last four in a row, scoring only 57 ppg.
Grill said “I said something that I regret which has cost me the opportunity to finish out my dream at Iowa State.”
Losing can be stressful for a team; sounds like the pot boiled over for Iowa State, and now a team that is #203 in bench minutes is without one of its better guards.
— TCU 75, Texas 73— Horned Frogs even though their star Mike Miles scored only one point in 36:00. Texas has lost four in a row on road, by 8-7-9-2 points.
— Missouri 81, LSU 76— Mizzou was down 43-24 late in first half; they win even though LSU made 14-28 on the arc. This is Missouri’s best season since 2014.
— Vanderbilt 68, Kentucky 66— Wildcats outscored Vandy 25-10 on foul line, but were just 25-35 on the charity stripe; 10 missed free throws in a 2-point loss is no bueno. Vandy has won seven of its last eight games; they’re 36-30 the last two seasons.
— Survive and advance; Jim Valvano used to talk about that, how in the NCAA Tournament, you give your all to win your next game, then you move on to the next line in the bracket, and do the same thing all over again. Play one game at a time.
This season, with no dominant team, no obvious favorite to win the title, survive/advance will become a mantra once again. Picking our brackets ain’t going to be easy.
— Going thru some NCAA Tournament trends, found a weird one on the play-in games that get the field down from 68 to 64 teams.
There are two levels of play-in games, the two #16-seed games, with the worst of the league champs facing off, then the worst four at-large teams also have two play-in games. It almost seems like JV and Varsity play-in games.
How do the four teams that win the play-in games do in the Round of 64?
Over the last ten years, the two teams who won the 16-seed play-in games went 1-1 against the spread in the next round all 10 years. None of them won SU; we know that UMBC is the only #16-seed to ever beat a #1-seed, and they weren’t a play-in team.
So none of the #16-seeds won, but they’ve gone 10-10 ATS, 1-1 every year.
As for the “varsity” play-in games, the bigger schools involved, over the last seven years, they also went 1-1 ATS in the next round, but six of the seven teams who covered also won SU.
So, of the last 14 teams to be an at-large team that played an extra game in Dayton, six of those 14 teams won the 2nd game too, and got to the Round of 32.
— A study showed over the last three years, NFL games had an average of 154 plays/game, while college games had an average of 180 plays. Is there any other sport where the college version is longer than the pro version?
College football leaders are looking at ways to shorten their game; not stopping the clock after first downs seems to be the easiest one.
— Philadelphia Eagles hired a new offensive coordinator, Sean Desai, who spent last year with the Seahawks after working with Chicago before that. Desai’s mentor is Vic Fangio; don’t expect the Eagles to blitz a lot.
Eagles promoted Brian Johnson to offensive coordinator, replacing the departed Shane Steichen after he became the Colts’ new coach.
Johnson played QB at Utah, was Dak Prescott’s QB coach at Mississippi State.
— If I ran MLB Network, there would be a fantasy league where the team managers would be
a) former players
b) MLB Network personalities
c) non-baseball celebrities
d) two fans picked via some kind of contest
The draft itself would be great TV, then a weekly zoom call with league members with trades and players getting cut. I’m telling you, this is a good idea. People would follow it. You could even bet on which teams would win.
— Padres’ P Joe Musgrove broke his toe when he dropped a barbell on his foot while working out. He isn’t going to throw for a few weeks while his foot heals.
— The great TV show M*A*S*H went off the air 40 years ago this week; it has lived on in re-runs since then, I still watch them sometimes on Hulu. Very funny show, great writing/acting.
Always try to laugh a little before bed every night; M*A*S*H and Odd Couple are a great help.
Thursday’s 6-pack
Conferences whose games are played at the slowest tempo:
32) Metro Atlantic
31) Big 14
30) Mountain West
29) Patriot League
28) Big South
27) Big Sky
Quote of the Day
“We don’t feel like we’re pressed, but that doesn’t mean our eyes aren’t on a quarterback.”
Detroit Lions’ coach Dan Campbell
Thursday’s quiz
In the old TV show Gilligan’s Island, what was the rich guy’s name?
Wednesday’s quiz
In the movie A Star is Born, Sam Elliott played Bradley Cooper’s brother.
Tuesday’s quiz
Trailblazers’ star Damian Lillard played his college basketball at Weber State.
********************************
Thursday’s Den: Doing some thinking out loud……..
— Alabama 90, Auburn 85 OT— This was as fiercely played a regular season game as I can remember seeing; Auburn led by 17 at one point, but in a game that didn’t end until 9:50 pm (started at 7:00), the host Crimson Tide won and with it, the regular season title in the SEC is also theirs.
Auburn has lost eight of its last eleven games, is now a bubble team that is trending in the wrong direction.
— Tennessee point guard Zakai Zeigler tore his ACL Tuesday night, is out for the year; Zeigler was averaging 10.7 ppg, 5.4 assists/game for the 22-8 Vols.
— Iowa State tossed senior guard Caleb Grill off the team Wednesday, a week before the Big X tournament, a huge red flag for the team. On January 10, the Cyclones were 13-2, but since then they’ve lost nine of 13 games, losing last four in a row, scoring only 57 ppg.
Grill said “I said something that I regret which has cost me the opportunity to finish out my dream at Iowa State.”
Losing can be stressful for a team; sounds like the pot boiled over for Iowa State, and now a team that is #203 in bench minutes is without one of its better guards.
— TCU 75, Texas 73— Horned Frogs even though their star Mike Miles scored only one point in 36:00. Texas has lost four in a row on road, by 8-7-9-2 points.
— Missouri 81, LSU 76— Mizzou was down 43-24 late in first half; they win even though LSU made 14-28 on the arc. This is Missouri’s best season since 2014.
— Vanderbilt 68, Kentucky 66— Wildcats outscored Vandy 25-10 on foul line, but were just 25-35 on the charity stripe; 10 missed free throws in a 2-point loss is no bueno. Vandy has won seven of its last eight games; they’re 36-30 the last two seasons.
— Survive and advance; Jim Valvano used to talk about that, how in the NCAA Tournament, you give your all to win your next game, then you move on to the next line in the bracket, and do the same thing all over again. Play one game at a time.
This season, with no dominant team, no obvious favorite to win the title, survive/advance will become a mantra once again. Picking our brackets ain’t going to be easy.
— Going thru some NCAA Tournament trends, found a weird one on the play-in games that get the field down from 68 to 64 teams.
There are two levels of play-in games, the two #16-seed games, with the worst of the league champs facing off, then the worst four at-large teams also have two play-in games. It almost seems like JV and Varsity play-in games.
How do the four teams that win the play-in games do in the Round of 64?
Over the last ten years, the two teams who won the 16-seed play-in games went 1-1 against the spread in the next round all 10 years. None of them won SU; we know that UMBC is the only #16-seed to ever beat a #1-seed, and they weren’t a play-in team.
So none of the #16-seeds won, but they’ve gone 10-10 ATS, 1-1 every year.
As for the “varsity” play-in games, the bigger schools involved, over the last seven years, they also went 1-1 ATS in the next round, but six of the seven teams who covered also won SU.
So, of the last 14 teams to be an at-large team that played an extra game in Dayton, six of those 14 teams won the 2nd game too, and got to the Round of 32.
— A study showed over the last three years, NFL games had an average of 154 plays/game, while college games had an average of 180 plays. Is there any other sport where the college version is longer than the pro version?
College football leaders are looking at ways to shorten their game; not stopping the clock after first downs seems to be the easiest one.
— Philadelphia Eagles hired a new offensive coordinator, Sean Desai, who spent last year with the Seahawks after working with Chicago before that. Desai’s mentor is Vic Fangio; don’t expect the Eagles to blitz a lot.
Eagles promoted Brian Johnson to offensive coordinator, replacing the departed Shane Steichen after he became the Colts’ new coach.
Johnson played QB at Utah, was Dak Prescott’s QB coach at Mississippi State.
— If I ran MLB Network, there would be a fantasy league where the team managers would be
a) former players
b) MLB Network personalities
c) non-baseball celebrities
d) two fans picked via some kind of contest
The draft itself would be great TV, then a weekly zoom call with league members with trades and players getting cut. I’m telling you, this is a good idea. People would follow it. You could even bet on which teams would win.
— Padres’ P Joe Musgrove broke his toe when he dropped a barbell on his foot while working out. He isn’t going to throw for a few weeks while his foot heals.
— The great TV show M*A*S*H went off the air 40 years ago this week; it has lived on in re-runs since then, I still watch them sometimes on Hulu. Very funny show, great writing/acting.
Always try to laugh a little before bed every night; M*A*S*H and Odd Couple are a great help.
NCAAB
Thursday, March 2
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NCAAB
Armadillo's Write-Up
Thursday, March 2
13 of Thursday’s best college basketball games
Sun Belt tournament (@ Pensacola, FL)
Appalachian State vs South Alabama
— Appalachian State (16-15, 9-9) ranked #178 by KenPom
— Tempo: #297
— Experience: #278
— Continuity: #257
— App State is 3-5 SU in its last eight games.
— Last 5 years, App State is 4-1 SU in its first conference tourney game.
— ASU is shooting 48.8% inside arc (#245), 32.8% on arc (#243)
— ASU has #54 eFG% defense in country.
— App State is 6-8 in games decided by 7 or less points.
— App State’s schedule, to this point: #164
— bench minutes: #127
— App State’s best win: 71-62 at #95 James Madison
— South Alabama (16-15, 9-9) ranked #102 by KenPom
— Tempo: #257
— Experience: #197
— Continuity: #346
— South Alabama won eight of its last ten games
— USA is 2-3 SU in last first round of tourney last five years
— South Alabama has #30 eFG% defense in country.
— Jaguars are 3-9 in games decided by 7 or less points.
— Jaguars are 11-5 vs teams ranked outside top 150.
— South Alabama’s schedule, to this point: #138
— bench minutes: #339
— South Alabama’s best win: 85-54 over #89 Southern Miss.
— South Alabama (-3.5) beat App State 74-57 at home February 11.
— USA shot 65% inside arc, led 40-26 at halftime.
— Jaguars are 5-4 in last nine series games.
Horizon tournament (@ campus sites)
Oakland @ Northern Kentucky
— Oakland (13-18, 11-9) ranked #275 by KenPom
— Tempo: #129
— Experience: #53
— Continuity: #42
— Oakland is 4-3 SU in its last seven games.
— Last five years, Grizzlies won their first Horizon tourney game.
— Grizzlies are 5-5 SU/7-2 ATS as a Horizon road underdog.
— Oakland has #337 eFG% defense in country.
— Oakland is 8-5 in games decided by 7 or less points.
— Oakland’s schedule, to this point: #219
— bench minutes: #357
— Oakland’s best win: 64-63 at #177 Northern Kentucky
— Northern Kentucky (19-12, 14-6) ranked #177 by KenPom
— Tempo: #357
— Experience: #87
— Continuity: #22
— NKU won four of its last five games
— Norse is 8-2 SU/4-5 ATS as a Horizon home favorite.
— NKU forces turnovers 23.6% of time (#12)
— NKU is #334 team on defensive boards.
— Norse won Horizon tourney three of last six years.
— NKU’s schedule, to this point: #260
— bench minutes: #272
— NKU’s best win: 64-51 over #66 Cincinnati
— Northern Kentucky won seven of last nine series games.
— Teams split two meetings this year; road team won both times.
Detroit @ Youngstown State
— Detroit (14-18, 10-11) ranked #201 by KenPom
— Tempo: #180
— Experience: #54
— Continuity: #287
— Detroit won four of its last six games
— Titans are 4-6 SU/3-5 ATS as a Horizon road underdog.
— Detroit is shooting 46.5% inside arc (#315), 39.3% on arc (#6)
— Titans have #320 eFG% defense in country.
— Davis needs 26 points to become CB’s all-time leading scorer.
— Detroit’s schedule, to this point: #245
— bench minutes: #123
— Detroit’s best win: 70-49 over #112 Charlotte.
— Youngstown State (23-8, 15-5) ranked #118 by KenPom
— Tempo: #149
— Experience: #15
— Continuity: #263
— Youngstown won 13 of its last 16 games.
— Last six years, Penguins are 3-3 in first Horizon tourney game.
— Youngstown is 9-1 SU/7-3 ATS as a Horizon home favorite.
— Penguins have #14 eFG% in country.
— Youngstown is 4-5 in games decided by 7 or less points.
— Youngstown’s schedule, to this point: #325
— bench minutes: #308
— Youngstown’s best win: 74-56 over #177 Northern Kentucky
— Youngstown beat Detroit twice TY, 84-79/73-63.
— Penguins won six of last eight series games.
— Detroit lost three of its last four visits to Youngstown.
Wright State @ Milwaukee
— Wright State (18-14, 11-10) ranked #181 by KenPom
— Tempo: #21
— Experience: #99
— Continuity: #62
— Wright State is 7-4 in its last eleven games.
— Wright State is 5-5 SU/1-3 ATS as a Horizon road favorite.
— Wright State won this tournament last year.
— Raiders are shooting 54.2% inside arc (#36)
— Raiders are 4-7 in games decided by 7 or less points.
— Wright State’s schedule, to this point: #312
— bench minutes: #216
— Wright State’s best win: 83-65 over #177 Northern Kentucky
— Milwaukee (20-10, 14-6) ranked #229 by KenPom
— Tempo: #17
— Experience: #354
— Continuity: #351
— Milwaukee won six of its last nine games.
— Panthers are 8-2 SU/2-0 ATS as a Horizon home underdog.
— Since 2014, Milwaukee is 5-2 in its first Horizon tourney game.
— Milwaukee is turning ball over 22.1% of time (#348)
— Panthers are #340 team on defensive boards.
— Milwaukee’s schedule, to this point: #293
— bench minutes: #86
— Milwaukee’s best win: 88-75 over #118 Youngstown State
— Wright State beat Milwaukee twice TY, 78-74 OT/93-86
— Raiders won nine of last ten series games.
— Wright State won last three visits here, by 3-4-4 points.
Atlantic Sun tournament
Lipscomb @ Kennesaw State
— Lipscomb (20-12, 12-7) ranked #156 by KenPom
— Tempo: #69
— Experience: #274
— Continuity: #98
— Lipscomb won four in row, seven of last nine games
— Lipscomb’s last three wins were all on road.
— Bisons are 9-4 in last 13 tourney games; they won it in 2018.
— Bisons have #34 eFG% in country.
— Lipscomb is #32 team on defensive boards.
— Lipscomb’s schedule, to this point: #234
— bench minutes: #81
— Lipscomb’s best win: 69-64 over #41 Liberty
— Kennesaw State (24-8, 16-3) ranked #133 by KenPom
— Tempo: #117
— Experience: #57
— Continuity: #2
— Kennesaw won 14 of its last 16 games.
— This is Owls’ first winning season in 18 years in D-I
— Kennesaw is forcing turnovers 20.1% of time (#75)
— Owls are shooting 36.7% on arc (#47)
— Kennesaw is #60 team in country on defensive boards.
— Kennesaw’s schedule, to this point: #200
— bench minutes: #214
— Kennesaw’s best win: 88-81 over #41 Liberty
— Lipscomb lost 85-72 at Kennesaw State January 28.
— Before that, Lipscomb had won previous 12 series games.
Elsewhere………
Michigan @ Illinois
— Michigan (17-12, 11-7) ranked #42 by KenPom
— Tempo: #146
— Experience: #309
— Continuity: #273
— Michigan won six of its last eight games
— Wolverines are 3-5 SU/2-5 ATS as a Big 14 road underdog.
— Michigan has #67 eFG% defense in country.
— Wolverines are 4-10 in games decided by 7 or less points.
— Michigan is 7-10 vs teams ranked in top 50.
— Michigan’s schedule, to this point: #34
— bench minutes: #303
— Michigan’s best win: 81-46 over #20 Maryland.
— Illinois (19-10, 10-8) ranked #36 by KenPom
— Tempo: #68
— Experience: #296
— Continuity: #343
— Illinois is 3-4 in its last seven games.
— Illini is 6-2 SU/5-3 ATS as a Big 14 home favorite.
— Illini is shooting 55.7% inside arc (#16), 31% on arc (#330)
— Opponents are shooting 44.5% inside arc (#10)
— Illinois is 2-3 in games decided by 7 or less points.
— You’re reading armadillosports.com
— Illinois’ schedule, to this point: #56
— bench minutes: #168
— Illinois’ best win: 79-70 over #2 UCLA
— Illinois won last five series games.
— Wolverines lost 71-62/68-53 in last two visits to Illinois.
— Big 14 home favorites of 4 or less points are 29-9 ATS
Middle Tennessee @ North Texas
— Middle Tennessee (18-11, 11-7) ranked #117 by KenPom
— Tempo: #190
— Experience: #209
— Continuity: #24
— MTSU won five of its last seven games
— MTSU is 2-6 SU/2-4 ATS as a C-USA road underdog.
— Blue Raiders are forcing turnovers 21.8% of time (#28)
— Blue Raiders are #228 team on defensive boards.
— MTSU is 7-4 in games decided by 7 or less points.
— MTSU’s schedule, to this point: #119
— bench minutes: #199
— MTSU’s best win: 74-70 over #32 Florida Atlantic
— North Texas (23-6, 14-4) ranked #54 by KenPom
— Tempo: #363
— Experience: #162
— Continuity: #139
— North Texas won eight of its last nine games.
— Mean Green is 6-2 SU/2-5-1 ATS as a C-USA home favorite.
— Mean Green is shooting 38.2% on arc in C-USA games (#1)
— Opponents are getting 23.9% of points on foul line (#358)
— North Texas is 9-4 in games decided by 7 or less points.
— North Texas’ schedule, to this point: #112
— bench minutes: #231
— North Texas’ best wins: 63-52/82-79 2OT over #59 UAB
— North Texas (-3) won 56-51 at MTSU January 7th.
— Mean Green won last four series games.
— MTSU split their last four visits to Denton.
— C-USA home favorites of 8 or less points are 15-20 ATS
Florida Atlantic @ Rice
— Florida Atlantic (26-3, 16-2) ranked #32 by KenPom
— Tempo: #126
— Experience: #139
— Continuity: #25
— FAU won five of its last six games SU
— Owls are 6-2 SU/4-2 ATS as a C-USA road favorite.
— FAU has #24 eFG%, #26 eFG% defense.
— Owls are #30 team on defensive boards.
— FAU is 8-1 in games decided by 7 or less points.
— FAU’s schedule, to this point: #150
— bench minutes: #9
— FAU’s best win: 50-46/66-62 over #54 North Texas
— Rice (17-12, 8-10) ranked #189 by KenPom
— Tempo: #44
— Experience: #115
— Continuity: #135
— Rice lost seven of its last nine games.
— Owls are 3-5 SU/0-2 ATS as a C-USA home underdog.
— Rice has #330 eFG% defense in country.
— Rice is shooting 53.1% inside arc (#68)
— Owls are 1-5 against top 100 teams.
— Rice’s schedule, to this point: #127
— bench minutes: #361
— Rice’s best win: 72-60 at #54 North Texas
— FAU (-14) beat Rice 90-81 at home February 9.
— FAU won last four series games.
— FAU won 63-62/81-76 in last two visits to Rice.
Arizona State @ UCLA
— Arizona State (20-9, 11-7) ranked #63 by KenPom
— Tempo: #133
— Experience: #66
— Continuity: #237
— Arizona State won four of its last five games
— Arizona State is 6-2 SU/4-1 ATS as a Pac-12 road underdog.
— Opponents are shooting 43% inside the arc (#5)
— Sun Devils have #282 eFG% in country.
— Sun Devils are 10-3 in games decided by 7 or less points.
— Arizona State’s schedule, to this point: #59
— bench minutes: #134
— Arizona State’s best win: 89-88 at #12 Arizona
— UCLA (25-4, 16-2) ranked #2 by KenPom
— Tempo: #256
— Experience: #106
— Continuity: #150
— UCLA won its last eight games (4-3-1 ATS)
— UCLA is 8-0 SU/4-4 ATS as a Pac-12 home favorite.
— Bruins are #25 team in country on offensive boards.
— Bruins are forcing turnovers 24.3% of time (#6)
— UCLA has #27 eFG% defense in country.
— UCLA’s schedule, to this point: #42
— bench minutes: #282
— UCLA’s best win: 87-60 at #20 Maryland
— UCLA (-4.5) won 74-62 at Arizona State January 19
— Bruins won five of last six meetings.
— Sun Devils lost last three visits to Westwood, by 3-1-14 points.
— Pac-12 double digit home favorites are 13-15 ATS
Cal-Santa Barbara @ Cal-Davis
— UCSB (22-7, 13-5) ranked #113 by KenPom
— Tempo: #325
— Experience: #70
— Continuity: #18
— UCSB split its last eight games overall.
— UCSB won seven of its nine Big West road games.
— Gauchos are 15-0 scoring 68+ points, 7-7 scoring 67 or less.
— Gauchos are shooting 54.9% inside arc (#25)
— UCSB is 7-2 in games decided by 7 or less points.
— UCSB’s schedule, to this point: #227
— bench minutes: #331
— UCSB’s best win: 73-65 at #99 Cal-Irvine.
— Cal-Davis (17-12, 10-7) ranked #139 by KenPom
— Tempo: #39
— Experience: #100
— Continuity: #75
— Cal-Davis won three of its last four games.
— Aggies won six of their eight Big West home games.
— Aggies are turning ball over 20.7% of time (#322)
— Cal-Davis is getting 22.3% of its points on foul line (#21)
— Cal-Davis is 5-7 in games decided by 7 or less points.
— Cal-Davis’ schedule, to this point: #206
— bench minutes: #219
— Cal-Davis’ best win: 83-79 over #120 Cal-Fullerton.
— Gauchos (-6) beat Cal-Davis 84-74 at home February 11.
— UCSB won last six series games.
— Gauchos won last three visits to Cal-Davis, the last two in overtime.
— Big West home teams are 12-14 ATS, in games with spread of 3 or less.
Cal-Irvine @ Cal-Riverside
— Cal-Irvine (20-10, 13-5) ranked #99 by KenPom
— Tempo: #59
— Experience: #218
— Continuity: #129
— Irvine lost its last two games, after a 7-1 run.
— Irvine is 6-3 SU/5-4 ATS in Big West road games.
— Opponents are shooting 44.6% inside arc (#11)
— Opponents are getting 23.1% of their points on foul line (#349)
— Anteaters are 6-5 in games decided by 7 or less points.
— Irvine’s schedule, to this point: #147
— bench minutes: #12
— Irvine’s best win: 69-56 at #47 Oregon
— Cal-Riverside (20-10, 13-5) ranked #134 by KenPom
— Tempo: #192
— Experience: #130
— Continuity: #156
— Riverside won its last four games, scoring 78 ppg.
— UCR is 7-2 SU/5-4 ATS in Big West home games.
— Riverside is getting only 15.1% of its points on foul line (#330)
— Riverside is #12 team on defensive boards.
— UCR is 12-6 in games decided by 7 or less points.
— Riverside’s schedule, to this point: #128
— bench minutes: #117
— Riverside’s best win: 81-79 at #101 LMU.
— Irvine (-7) beat Riverside 83-64 at home February 11.
— Anteaters won 18 of last 19 series games.
— Irvine won seven of its last eight visits to Riverside.
— Big West home teams are 12-14 ATS, in games with spread of 3 or less.
Arizona @ USC
— Arizona (24-5, 13-5) ranked #12 by KenPom
— Tempo: #7
— Experience: #59
— Continuity: #166
— Arizona split its last four games, after a 22-3 start.
— Arizona is 5-3 SU in its Pac-12 road games.
— Wildcats allowed 81+ points in four of their five losses.
— Wildcats are shooting 56.6% inside arc (#8), 37.4% on arc (#30)
— Arizona has #44 eFG% defense in country.
— Arizona’s schedule, to this point: #57
— bench minutes: #288
— Arizona’s best win: 58-52 over #2 UCLA
— USC (21-8, 13-5) ranked #34 by KenPom
— Tempo: #135
— Experience: #137
— Continuity: #146
— USC won four in row, eight of last ten games.
— USC is 8-0 SU/6-2 ATS in Pac-12 home games.
— Trojans have #8 eFG% defense in country.
— Trojans are #322 team in country on defensive boards.
— USC is 6-4 in games decided by 7 or less points.
— USC’s schedule, to this point: #51
— bench minutes: #284
— USC’s best win: 77-64 over #2 UCLA
— Arizona (-7) beat USC 81-66 at home January 19.
— Wildcats won last four series games, all by 9+ points.
— Arizona won 81-72/91-71 in last two visits to Galen Center.
— Pac-12 home teams are 8-11 ATS in games with spread of 3 or less.
Washington State @ Washington
— Washington State (15-15, 10-9) ranked #57 by KenPom
— Tempo: #329
— Experience: #287
— Continuity: #228
— Wazzu won its last five games SU.
— Wazzu is 3-6 SU/2-5 ATS as a Pac-12 road underdog.
— Coogs are shooting 36.3% on the arc (#62)
— Coogs are getting 39.2% of their points on arc (#11)
— Wazzu is #62 team in country on defensive boards.
— Wazzu’s schedule, to this point: #23
— bench minutes: #263
— Wazzu’s best win: 74-61 at #12 Arizona
— Washington (16-14, 8-11) ranked #100 by KenPom
— Tempo: #74
— Experience: #148
— Continuity: #240
— Washington won three of its last four games
— Huskies are 6-3 SU/ATS in Pac-12 home games.
— Washington has #272 eFG% in country.
— Huskies are turning ball over 20.2% of time (#307)
— Washington is #349 team on defensive boards.
— Washington’s schedule, to this point: #45
— bench minutes: #246
— Washington’s best win: 68-64 in OT over Saint Mary’s.
— Wazzu (-7) beat Washington 56-51 at home February 11.
— Coogs won five of last seven series games.
— Wazzu split their last six visits to Seattle.
— Pac-12 home teams are 8-11 ATS in games with spread of 3 or less.
Armadillo's Write-Up
Thursday, March 2
13 of Thursday’s best college basketball games
Sun Belt tournament (@ Pensacola, FL)
Appalachian State vs South Alabama
— Appalachian State (16-15, 9-9) ranked #178 by KenPom
— Tempo: #297
— Experience: #278
— Continuity: #257
— App State is 3-5 SU in its last eight games.
— Last 5 years, App State is 4-1 SU in its first conference tourney game.
— ASU is shooting 48.8% inside arc (#245), 32.8% on arc (#243)
— ASU has #54 eFG% defense in country.
— App State is 6-8 in games decided by 7 or less points.
— App State’s schedule, to this point: #164
— bench minutes: #127
— App State’s best win: 71-62 at #95 James Madison
— South Alabama (16-15, 9-9) ranked #102 by KenPom
— Tempo: #257
— Experience: #197
— Continuity: #346
— South Alabama won eight of its last ten games
— USA is 2-3 SU in last first round of tourney last five years
— South Alabama has #30 eFG% defense in country.
— Jaguars are 3-9 in games decided by 7 or less points.
— Jaguars are 11-5 vs teams ranked outside top 150.
— South Alabama’s schedule, to this point: #138
— bench minutes: #339
— South Alabama’s best win: 85-54 over #89 Southern Miss.
— South Alabama (-3.5) beat App State 74-57 at home February 11.
— USA shot 65% inside arc, led 40-26 at halftime.
— Jaguars are 5-4 in last nine series games.
Horizon tournament (@ campus sites)
Oakland @ Northern Kentucky
— Oakland (13-18, 11-9) ranked #275 by KenPom
— Tempo: #129
— Experience: #53
— Continuity: #42
— Oakland is 4-3 SU in its last seven games.
— Last five years, Grizzlies won their first Horizon tourney game.
— Grizzlies are 5-5 SU/7-2 ATS as a Horizon road underdog.
— Oakland has #337 eFG% defense in country.
— Oakland is 8-5 in games decided by 7 or less points.
— Oakland’s schedule, to this point: #219
— bench minutes: #357
— Oakland’s best win: 64-63 at #177 Northern Kentucky
— Northern Kentucky (19-12, 14-6) ranked #177 by KenPom
— Tempo: #357
— Experience: #87
— Continuity: #22
— NKU won four of its last five games
— Norse is 8-2 SU/4-5 ATS as a Horizon home favorite.
— NKU forces turnovers 23.6% of time (#12)
— NKU is #334 team on defensive boards.
— Norse won Horizon tourney three of last six years.
— NKU’s schedule, to this point: #260
— bench minutes: #272
— NKU’s best win: 64-51 over #66 Cincinnati
— Northern Kentucky won seven of last nine series games.
— Teams split two meetings this year; road team won both times.
Detroit @ Youngstown State
— Detroit (14-18, 10-11) ranked #201 by KenPom
— Tempo: #180
— Experience: #54
— Continuity: #287
— Detroit won four of its last six games
— Titans are 4-6 SU/3-5 ATS as a Horizon road underdog.
— Detroit is shooting 46.5% inside arc (#315), 39.3% on arc (#6)
— Titans have #320 eFG% defense in country.
— Davis needs 26 points to become CB’s all-time leading scorer.
— Detroit’s schedule, to this point: #245
— bench minutes: #123
— Detroit’s best win: 70-49 over #112 Charlotte.
— Youngstown State (23-8, 15-5) ranked #118 by KenPom
— Tempo: #149
— Experience: #15
— Continuity: #263
— Youngstown won 13 of its last 16 games.
— Last six years, Penguins are 3-3 in first Horizon tourney game.
— Youngstown is 9-1 SU/7-3 ATS as a Horizon home favorite.
— Penguins have #14 eFG% in country.
— Youngstown is 4-5 in games decided by 7 or less points.
— Youngstown’s schedule, to this point: #325
— bench minutes: #308
— Youngstown’s best win: 74-56 over #177 Northern Kentucky
— Youngstown beat Detroit twice TY, 84-79/73-63.
— Penguins won six of last eight series games.
— Detroit lost three of its last four visits to Youngstown.
Wright State @ Milwaukee
— Wright State (18-14, 11-10) ranked #181 by KenPom
— Tempo: #21
— Experience: #99
— Continuity: #62
— Wright State is 7-4 in its last eleven games.
— Wright State is 5-5 SU/1-3 ATS as a Horizon road favorite.
— Wright State won this tournament last year.
— Raiders are shooting 54.2% inside arc (#36)
— Raiders are 4-7 in games decided by 7 or less points.
— Wright State’s schedule, to this point: #312
— bench minutes: #216
— Wright State’s best win: 83-65 over #177 Northern Kentucky
— Milwaukee (20-10, 14-6) ranked #229 by KenPom
— Tempo: #17
— Experience: #354
— Continuity: #351
— Milwaukee won six of its last nine games.
— Panthers are 8-2 SU/2-0 ATS as a Horizon home underdog.
— Since 2014, Milwaukee is 5-2 in its first Horizon tourney game.
— Milwaukee is turning ball over 22.1% of time (#348)
— Panthers are #340 team on defensive boards.
— Milwaukee’s schedule, to this point: #293
— bench minutes: #86
— Milwaukee’s best win: 88-75 over #118 Youngstown State
— Wright State beat Milwaukee twice TY, 78-74 OT/93-86
— Raiders won nine of last ten series games.
— Wright State won last three visits here, by 3-4-4 points.
Atlantic Sun tournament
Lipscomb @ Kennesaw State
— Lipscomb (20-12, 12-7) ranked #156 by KenPom
— Tempo: #69
— Experience: #274
— Continuity: #98
— Lipscomb won four in row, seven of last nine games
— Lipscomb’s last three wins were all on road.
— Bisons are 9-4 in last 13 tourney games; they won it in 2018.
— Bisons have #34 eFG% in country.
— Lipscomb is #32 team on defensive boards.
— Lipscomb’s schedule, to this point: #234
— bench minutes: #81
— Lipscomb’s best win: 69-64 over #41 Liberty
— Kennesaw State (24-8, 16-3) ranked #133 by KenPom
— Tempo: #117
— Experience: #57
— Continuity: #2
— Kennesaw won 14 of its last 16 games.
— This is Owls’ first winning season in 18 years in D-I
— Kennesaw is forcing turnovers 20.1% of time (#75)
— Owls are shooting 36.7% on arc (#47)
— Kennesaw is #60 team in country on defensive boards.
— Kennesaw’s schedule, to this point: #200
— bench minutes: #214
— Kennesaw’s best win: 88-81 over #41 Liberty
— Lipscomb lost 85-72 at Kennesaw State January 28.
— Before that, Lipscomb had won previous 12 series games.
Elsewhere………
Michigan @ Illinois
— Michigan (17-12, 11-7) ranked #42 by KenPom
— Tempo: #146
— Experience: #309
— Continuity: #273
— Michigan won six of its last eight games
— Wolverines are 3-5 SU/2-5 ATS as a Big 14 road underdog.
— Michigan has #67 eFG% defense in country.
— Wolverines are 4-10 in games decided by 7 or less points.
— Michigan is 7-10 vs teams ranked in top 50.
— Michigan’s schedule, to this point: #34
— bench minutes: #303
— Michigan’s best win: 81-46 over #20 Maryland.
— Illinois (19-10, 10-8) ranked #36 by KenPom
— Tempo: #68
— Experience: #296
— Continuity: #343
— Illinois is 3-4 in its last seven games.
— Illini is 6-2 SU/5-3 ATS as a Big 14 home favorite.
— Illini is shooting 55.7% inside arc (#16), 31% on arc (#330)
— Opponents are shooting 44.5% inside arc (#10)
— Illinois is 2-3 in games decided by 7 or less points.
— You’re reading armadillosports.com
— Illinois’ schedule, to this point: #56
— bench minutes: #168
— Illinois’ best win: 79-70 over #2 UCLA
— Illinois won last five series games.
— Wolverines lost 71-62/68-53 in last two visits to Illinois.
— Big 14 home favorites of 4 or less points are 29-9 ATS
Middle Tennessee @ North Texas
— Middle Tennessee (18-11, 11-7) ranked #117 by KenPom
— Tempo: #190
— Experience: #209
— Continuity: #24
— MTSU won five of its last seven games
— MTSU is 2-6 SU/2-4 ATS as a C-USA road underdog.
— Blue Raiders are forcing turnovers 21.8% of time (#28)
— Blue Raiders are #228 team on defensive boards.
— MTSU is 7-4 in games decided by 7 or less points.
— MTSU’s schedule, to this point: #119
— bench minutes: #199
— MTSU’s best win: 74-70 over #32 Florida Atlantic
— North Texas (23-6, 14-4) ranked #54 by KenPom
— Tempo: #363
— Experience: #162
— Continuity: #139
— North Texas won eight of its last nine games.
— Mean Green is 6-2 SU/2-5-1 ATS as a C-USA home favorite.
— Mean Green is shooting 38.2% on arc in C-USA games (#1)
— Opponents are getting 23.9% of points on foul line (#358)
— North Texas is 9-4 in games decided by 7 or less points.
— North Texas’ schedule, to this point: #112
— bench minutes: #231
— North Texas’ best wins: 63-52/82-79 2OT over #59 UAB
— North Texas (-3) won 56-51 at MTSU January 7th.
— Mean Green won last four series games.
— MTSU split their last four visits to Denton.
— C-USA home favorites of 8 or less points are 15-20 ATS
Florida Atlantic @ Rice
— Florida Atlantic (26-3, 16-2) ranked #32 by KenPom
— Tempo: #126
— Experience: #139
— Continuity: #25
— FAU won five of its last six games SU
— Owls are 6-2 SU/4-2 ATS as a C-USA road favorite.
— FAU has #24 eFG%, #26 eFG% defense.
— Owls are #30 team on defensive boards.
— FAU is 8-1 in games decided by 7 or less points.
— FAU’s schedule, to this point: #150
— bench minutes: #9
— FAU’s best win: 50-46/66-62 over #54 North Texas
— Rice (17-12, 8-10) ranked #189 by KenPom
— Tempo: #44
— Experience: #115
— Continuity: #135
— Rice lost seven of its last nine games.
— Owls are 3-5 SU/0-2 ATS as a C-USA home underdog.
— Rice has #330 eFG% defense in country.
— Rice is shooting 53.1% inside arc (#68)
— Owls are 1-5 against top 100 teams.
— Rice’s schedule, to this point: #127
— bench minutes: #361
— Rice’s best win: 72-60 at #54 North Texas
— FAU (-14) beat Rice 90-81 at home February 9.
— FAU won last four series games.
— FAU won 63-62/81-76 in last two visits to Rice.
Arizona State @ UCLA
— Arizona State (20-9, 11-7) ranked #63 by KenPom
— Tempo: #133
— Experience: #66
— Continuity: #237
— Arizona State won four of its last five games
— Arizona State is 6-2 SU/4-1 ATS as a Pac-12 road underdog.
— Opponents are shooting 43% inside the arc (#5)
— Sun Devils have #282 eFG% in country.
— Sun Devils are 10-3 in games decided by 7 or less points.
— Arizona State’s schedule, to this point: #59
— bench minutes: #134
— Arizona State’s best win: 89-88 at #12 Arizona
— UCLA (25-4, 16-2) ranked #2 by KenPom
— Tempo: #256
— Experience: #106
— Continuity: #150
— UCLA won its last eight games (4-3-1 ATS)
— UCLA is 8-0 SU/4-4 ATS as a Pac-12 home favorite.
— Bruins are #25 team in country on offensive boards.
— Bruins are forcing turnovers 24.3% of time (#6)
— UCLA has #27 eFG% defense in country.
— UCLA’s schedule, to this point: #42
— bench minutes: #282
— UCLA’s best win: 87-60 at #20 Maryland
— UCLA (-4.5) won 74-62 at Arizona State January 19
— Bruins won five of last six meetings.
— Sun Devils lost last three visits to Westwood, by 3-1-14 points.
— Pac-12 double digit home favorites are 13-15 ATS
Cal-Santa Barbara @ Cal-Davis
— UCSB (22-7, 13-5) ranked #113 by KenPom
— Tempo: #325
— Experience: #70
— Continuity: #18
— UCSB split its last eight games overall.
— UCSB won seven of its nine Big West road games.
— Gauchos are 15-0 scoring 68+ points, 7-7 scoring 67 or less.
— Gauchos are shooting 54.9% inside arc (#25)
— UCSB is 7-2 in games decided by 7 or less points.
— UCSB’s schedule, to this point: #227
— bench minutes: #331
— UCSB’s best win: 73-65 at #99 Cal-Irvine.
— Cal-Davis (17-12, 10-7) ranked #139 by KenPom
— Tempo: #39
— Experience: #100
— Continuity: #75
— Cal-Davis won three of its last four games.
— Aggies won six of their eight Big West home games.
— Aggies are turning ball over 20.7% of time (#322)
— Cal-Davis is getting 22.3% of its points on foul line (#21)
— Cal-Davis is 5-7 in games decided by 7 or less points.
— Cal-Davis’ schedule, to this point: #206
— bench minutes: #219
— Cal-Davis’ best win: 83-79 over #120 Cal-Fullerton.
— Gauchos (-6) beat Cal-Davis 84-74 at home February 11.
— UCSB won last six series games.
— Gauchos won last three visits to Cal-Davis, the last two in overtime.
— Big West home teams are 12-14 ATS, in games with spread of 3 or less.
Cal-Irvine @ Cal-Riverside
— Cal-Irvine (20-10, 13-5) ranked #99 by KenPom
— Tempo: #59
— Experience: #218
— Continuity: #129
— Irvine lost its last two games, after a 7-1 run.
— Irvine is 6-3 SU/5-4 ATS in Big West road games.
— Opponents are shooting 44.6% inside arc (#11)
— Opponents are getting 23.1% of their points on foul line (#349)
— Anteaters are 6-5 in games decided by 7 or less points.
— Irvine’s schedule, to this point: #147
— bench minutes: #12
— Irvine’s best win: 69-56 at #47 Oregon
— Cal-Riverside (20-10, 13-5) ranked #134 by KenPom
— Tempo: #192
— Experience: #130
— Continuity: #156
— Riverside won its last four games, scoring 78 ppg.
— UCR is 7-2 SU/5-4 ATS in Big West home games.
— Riverside is getting only 15.1% of its points on foul line (#330)
— Riverside is #12 team on defensive boards.
— UCR is 12-6 in games decided by 7 or less points.
— Riverside’s schedule, to this point: #128
— bench minutes: #117
— Riverside’s best win: 81-79 at #101 LMU.
— Irvine (-7) beat Riverside 83-64 at home February 11.
— Anteaters won 18 of last 19 series games.
— Irvine won seven of its last eight visits to Riverside.
— Big West home teams are 12-14 ATS, in games with spread of 3 or less.
Arizona @ USC
— Arizona (24-5, 13-5) ranked #12 by KenPom
— Tempo: #7
— Experience: #59
— Continuity: #166
— Arizona split its last four games, after a 22-3 start.
— Arizona is 5-3 SU in its Pac-12 road games.
— Wildcats allowed 81+ points in four of their five losses.
— Wildcats are shooting 56.6% inside arc (#8), 37.4% on arc (#30)
— Arizona has #44 eFG% defense in country.
— Arizona’s schedule, to this point: #57
— bench minutes: #288
— Arizona’s best win: 58-52 over #2 UCLA
— USC (21-8, 13-5) ranked #34 by KenPom
— Tempo: #135
— Experience: #137
— Continuity: #146
— USC won four in row, eight of last ten games.
— USC is 8-0 SU/6-2 ATS in Pac-12 home games.
— Trojans have #8 eFG% defense in country.
— Trojans are #322 team in country on defensive boards.
— USC is 6-4 in games decided by 7 or less points.
— USC’s schedule, to this point: #51
— bench minutes: #284
— USC’s best win: 77-64 over #2 UCLA
— Arizona (-7) beat USC 81-66 at home January 19.
— Wildcats won last four series games, all by 9+ points.
— Arizona won 81-72/91-71 in last two visits to Galen Center.
— Pac-12 home teams are 8-11 ATS in games with spread of 3 or less.
Washington State @ Washington
— Washington State (15-15, 10-9) ranked #57 by KenPom
— Tempo: #329
— Experience: #287
— Continuity: #228
— Wazzu won its last five games SU.
— Wazzu is 3-6 SU/2-5 ATS as a Pac-12 road underdog.
— Coogs are shooting 36.3% on the arc (#62)
— Coogs are getting 39.2% of their points on arc (#11)
— Wazzu is #62 team in country on defensive boards.
— Wazzu’s schedule, to this point: #23
— bench minutes: #263
— Wazzu’s best win: 74-61 at #12 Arizona
— Washington (16-14, 8-11) ranked #100 by KenPom
— Tempo: #74
— Experience: #148
— Continuity: #240
— Washington won three of its last four games
— Huskies are 6-3 SU/ATS in Pac-12 home games.
— Washington has #272 eFG% in country.
— Huskies are turning ball over 20.2% of time (#307)
— Washington is #349 team on defensive boards.
— Washington’s schedule, to this point: #45
— bench minutes: #246
— Washington’s best win: 68-64 in OT over Saint Mary’s.
— Wazzu (-7) beat Washington 56-51 at home February 11.
— Coogs won five of last seven series games.
— Wazzu split their last six visits to Seattle.
— Pac-12 home teams are 8-11 ATS in games with spread of 3 or less.
THURSDAY, MARCH 2
| Game | Time(ET) | Pick | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| APP at USA | 12:30 PM | USA -4.0 U 130.0 | +500 +500 |
| ILST at UNI | 01:00 PM | UNI -3.5 O 134.5 | +500 +500 |
| ARST at TROY | 03:00 PM | ARST +7.5 O 134.0 | +500 +500 |
| EVAN at INST | 03:30 PM | EVAN +17.5 U 145.0 | +500 +500 |
| TXST at ODU | 06:00 PM | ODU -4.0 U 131.0 | +500 +500 |
| BU at ARMY | 06:00 PM | BU +4.0 O 138.0 | +500 +500 |
THURSDAY, MARCH 2
| Game | Time(ET) | Pick | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| APP at USA | 12:30 PM | USA -4.0 U 130.0 | +500 +500 |
| ILST at UNI | 01:00 PM | UNI -3.5 O 134.5 | +500 +500 |
| ARST at TROY | 03:00 PM | ARST +7.5 O 134.0 | +500 +500 |
| EVAN at INST | 03:30 PM | EVAN +17.5 U 145.0 | +500 +500 |
| TXST at ODU | 06:00 PM | ODU -4.0 U 131.0 | +500 +500 |
| BU at ARMY | 06:00 PM | BU +4.0 O 138.0 | +500 +500 |
| MAN at SIE | 07:00 PM | SIE -7.0 O 137.0 | +500 +500 |
| MRST at IONA | 07:00 PM | IONA -16.0 O 139.0 | +500 +500 |
| RID at SPU | 07:00 PM | RID -4.0 U 126.5 | +500 +500 |
| L-MD at COLG | 07:00 PM | L-MD +16.0 O 144.5 | +500 +500 |
| UCF at TEM | 07:00 PM | TEM +0.0 U 133.5 | +500 +500 |
| VALP at MURR | 07:00 PM | MURR -1.0 U 140.5 | +500 +500 |
| EKY at LIB | 07:00 PM | EKY +12.5 O 140.0 | +500 +500 |
| AMER at NAVY | 07:00 PM | NAVY -6.5 U 126.0 | +500 +500 |
| LAF at LEH | 07:00 PM | LEH -3.0 U 129.0 | +500 +500 |
| FIU at LT | 07:00 PM | LT -5.0 O 143.5 | +500 +500 |
| RUTG at MINN | 07:00 PM | RUTG -8.5 U 127.5 | +500 +500 |
| LIP at KENN | 07:00 PM | LIP +4.5 O 149.0 | +500 +500 |
| MICH at ILL | 07:00 PM | ILL -5.0 U 144.5 | +500 +500 |
| OAK at NKU | 07:00 PM | NKU -6.5 U 134.5 | +500 +500 |
| WICH at HOU | 07:00 PM | HOU -16.5 U 134.0 | +500 +500 |
| QUIN at FAIR | 07:30 PM | QUIN -2.0 U 136.5 | +500 +500 |
| COPP at MORG | 07:30 PM | MORG -3.5 U 153.0 | +500 +500 |
| UMES at DSU | 07:30 PM | UMES -6.0 U 135.5 | +500 +500 |
| NCCU at SCST | 07:30 PM | SCST +7.5 O 148.0 | +500 +500 |
| SEMO at TNST | 07:30 PM | SEMO -1.0 O 159.0 | +500 +500 |
| CHAR at UTSA | 08:00 PM | CHAR -6.5 U 133.5 | +500 +500 |
| RMU at CLEVST | 08:00 PM | RMU +6.5 O 134.5 | +500 +500 |
| MTU at UNT | 08:00 PM | UNT -7.0 O 122.0 | +500 +500 |
| FAU at RICE | 08:00 PM | FAU -8.5 O 154.5 | +500 +500 |
| AAMU at GRAM | 08:00 PM | GRAM -8.0 O 131.5 | +500 +500 |
| WRST at MILW | 08:00 PM | WRST -2.0 U 161.0 | +500 +500 |
| DETU at YSU | 08:00 PM | DETU +9.0 O 158.0 | +500 +500 |
| ULM at GASO | 08:30 PM | GASO -5.0 U 130.5 | +500 +500 |
| ALCN at MVSU | 08:30 PM | ALCN -5.5 U 140.0 | +500 +500 |
| USD at PORT | 09:00 PM | PORT -5.5 O 158.5 | +500 +500 |
| NORF at HOW | 09:00 PM | NORF -2.0 U 149.5 | +500 +500 |
| UCSB at UCD | 09:00 PM | UCSB -2.5 U 139.0 | +500 +500 |
| WKU at UTEP | 09:00 PM | WKU +3.0 O 136.5 | +500 +500 |
| PUR at WIS | 09:00 PM | PUR -4.0 U 127.0 | +500 +500 |
| STAN at ORST | 09:00 PM | STAN -5.0 O 131.5 | +500 +500 |
| ASU at UCLA | 09:00 PM | ASU +12.0 O 133.5 | +500 +500 |
| JKST at ARPB | 09:00 PM | ARPB -1.0 U 142.5 | +500 +500 |
| ALST at SOU | 09:00 PM | SOU -10.0 U 140.0 | +500 +500 |
| MEM at SMU | 09:00 PM | MEM -6.5 O 153.5 | +500 +500 |
| UIC at MOSU | 09:30 PM | MOSU -8.5 U 128.0 | +500 +500 |
| SIUE at UTM | 10:00 PM | UTM +1.5 U 150.0 | +500 +500 |
| UCI at UCRV | 10:00 PM | UCRV +0.0 U 145.5 | +500 +500 |
| CSB at LBSU | 10:00 PM | LBSU -11.0 U 139.5 | +500 +500 |
| HAW at CSN | 10:00 PM | CSN +8.0 O 127.0 | +500 +500 |
| WSU at WASH | 11:00 PM | WASH +1.5 O 133.5 | +500 +500 |
| ARIZ at USC | 11:00 PM | ARIZ -2.0 U 155.0 | +500 +500 |
| CAL at ORE | 11:00 PM | ORE -20.0 U 129.5 | +500 +500 |
| PEPP at PAC | 11:30 PM | PAC +2.5 O 162.5 | +500 +500 |
Armadillo Sports
Friday’s 6-pack
Top six teams in country on offensive boards…….
they’re rebounding 39.2% of their misses— UConn (23-7, 12-7)
38.4%— Purdue (25-5, 14-5)
38.3%— Kentucky (20-10, 11-6)
38.0%— Houston (28-2, 16-1)
37.3%— Tennessee (22-8, 11-6)
37.2%— Duke (22-8, 13-6)
Tweet of the Day
“How bout you play to your player’s strength and & stop pointing the finger at us and #8 …blame the one you let do this…. we take heat 24/7 . & keep us healthy … care about US & see what happen..ain’t no promises tho … tired of y’all lyin and capn on players for no reason”
Ravens’ WR Rashod Bateman, responding to criticism of Baltimore’s WR’s
Friday’s quiz
VCU made the national championship game in 2011, as a #11-seed; who was their coach?
Thursday’s quiz
In the old TV show Gilligan’s Island, the rich guy’s name was Thurston Howell.
Wednesday’s quiz
In the movie A Star is Born, Sam Elliott played Bradley Cooper’s brother.
**************************
Friday’s Den: Wrapping up a busy Thursday…….
— Youngstown State 71, Detroit 66— Top-seeded Penguins trailed 33-29 at halftime, but they held Detroit star Antoine Davis to 22 points and advance to play Northern Kentucky in the semi-finals of the Horizon tournament.
Davis is three points short of tying Pete Maravich for the all-time leading scorer in D-I college basketball; he shot 7-26 in this game, 4-16 on the arc. Titans are 14-18; they’re ineligible for the NIT, but could still be invited to the CBI or Basketball Classic.
I’m wondering if LSU will lobby against Detroit being invited to those tournaments.
— It is funny how times change over the years; the gym at LSU is the Maravich Assembly Center; that is where Pistol Pete played for his dad for three seasons, scoring 3,667 points, averaging 44.2 points/game, in an era where there were no 3-point shots.
But when Pete Maravich was in high school, his dad Press Maravich was the head coach at NC State, a way better basketball school than LSU (back then); in the 60’s, the ACC had more stringent academic rules for kids getting admitted into their schools. Pete Maravich couldn’t get accepted into NC State, so Press Maravich quit and took the LSU coaching job.
Could you imagine that happening today?!?!?!? Didn’t think so.
By the way, NC State hired Norm Sloan to replace Press Maravich as coach; he recruited David Thompson a few years later, and the Wolfpack went 57-1 from 1972-74 and won the national title in 1974.
— Atlantic Sun tournament
Liberty 79, Eastern Kentucky 73
Kennesaw State 80, Lipscomb 71
Two two seeds in the league play in the A-Sun finals Sunday afternoon.
— Purdue 63, Wisconsin 61— Boilermakers snap 3-game road losing streak; they’re 3-4 in their last seven games- they need better production from guys other than C Zack Edey. In this game, Edey was 7-9 from floor, rest of the team went 17-49 (43.6%).
— Minnesota 75, Rutgers 74— Horrendous, hideous loss for Rutgers, to a Minnesota team that had lost 12 games in a row. Bracketology had them as a 9-seed Tuesday; we’ll see if this bad loss puts them on the bubble.
— Illinois F Matthew Mayer missed multiple days of practice this week because of “caffeine poisoning” which is what he called it. Mayer said he felt sick after he drank six Monster energy drinks in one day, while playing video games.
Apparently, this was a bad idea. According to registered dietitian Angie Asche:
“Caffeine is one of the only ‘pre-workout’ stimulants I recommend to my athletes, but it requires education on proper dosage and timing. Athletes don’t realize the serious consequences it can have on their performance and recovery.”
Excessive caffeine consumption can cause headaches, nausea, and diarrhea, as well as anxiety and insomnia that can seriously mess up your sleep. It is also dehydrating, and in rare cases caffeine can be dangerous, with massive doses linked to irregular heart beat, low blood pressure, and death.
Apparently Mayer recovered pretty well; Thursday night, he scored 24 points in Illinois’ 91-87 double-overtime win over Michigan.
— As for myself, I’ve never had an energy drink and now, I never will.
— The WAC and Conference USA are talking about forming a basketball scheduling alliance “for the next few years” according to Jeff Goodman of Stadium.
The primary goal of these alliances is to increase quality in the leagues’ non-conference schedules, so they can fare better in NCAA Tournament seeding. It also allows these teams to play quality non-conference games, without having to go on the road all the time, which they would have to do against the Power 5 conference teams.
Sun Belt and Mid-American Conference are also going to be doing this, starting next season.
— Baltimore Ravens seem to have some off-field issues; the players are mad at the GM, who criticized the team’s receivers. QB Lamar Jackson is serving as his own agent, which makes his contract negotiations a lot more dicey.
Team executives can say stuff about a player to his agent during negotiations, but when there is no agent, the executive has to say it directly to the player, and there is a much better chance of feeling being hurt during negotiations when they’re done that way.
— Every day, I scan the boxscores for spring training results and news about the 28 guys on my fantasy baseball team. I hold my breath that no one is hurt; baseball players get hurt a lot.
Juan Yepez fouled a ball off his shin. Dom Smith got hit with a pitch and almost got into a fight. These are things I don’t need to see. This time of year, no news is good news.
— Jonathan Quick was the goalie for the Los Angeles Kings for the last 16 years, helping the Kings win their only two Stanley Cups; Wednesday, the Kings traded him to Columbus, then on Thursday, the Blue Jackets traded him to the Vegas Golden Knights. 16 years as a building block of the franchise, then you get traded twice, on consecutive days. Has to be a little weird.
— Happy 88th birthday to Porky Pig; the animated character made his debut this week in 1935.
As for today’s Den, well……..That’s all folks!!!!
Friday’s 6-pack
Top six teams in country on offensive boards…….
they’re rebounding 39.2% of their misses— UConn (23-7, 12-7)
38.4%— Purdue (25-5, 14-5)
38.3%— Kentucky (20-10, 11-6)
38.0%— Houston (28-2, 16-1)
37.3%— Tennessee (22-8, 11-6)
37.2%— Duke (22-8, 13-6)
Tweet of the Day
“How bout you play to your player’s strength and & stop pointing the finger at us and #8 …blame the one you let do this…. we take heat 24/7 . & keep us healthy … care about US & see what happen..ain’t no promises tho … tired of y’all lyin and capn on players for no reason”
Ravens’ WR Rashod Bateman, responding to criticism of Baltimore’s WR’s
Friday’s quiz
VCU made the national championship game in 2011, as a #11-seed; who was their coach?
Thursday’s quiz
In the old TV show Gilligan’s Island, the rich guy’s name was Thurston Howell.
Wednesday’s quiz
In the movie A Star is Born, Sam Elliott played Bradley Cooper’s brother.
**************************
Friday’s Den: Wrapping up a busy Thursday…….
— Youngstown State 71, Detroit 66— Top-seeded Penguins trailed 33-29 at halftime, but they held Detroit star Antoine Davis to 22 points and advance to play Northern Kentucky in the semi-finals of the Horizon tournament.
Davis is three points short of tying Pete Maravich for the all-time leading scorer in D-I college basketball; he shot 7-26 in this game, 4-16 on the arc. Titans are 14-18; they’re ineligible for the NIT, but could still be invited to the CBI or Basketball Classic.
I’m wondering if LSU will lobby against Detroit being invited to those tournaments.
— It is funny how times change over the years; the gym at LSU is the Maravich Assembly Center; that is where Pistol Pete played for his dad for three seasons, scoring 3,667 points, averaging 44.2 points/game, in an era where there were no 3-point shots.
But when Pete Maravich was in high school, his dad Press Maravich was the head coach at NC State, a way better basketball school than LSU (back then); in the 60’s, the ACC had more stringent academic rules for kids getting admitted into their schools. Pete Maravich couldn’t get accepted into NC State, so Press Maravich quit and took the LSU coaching job.
Could you imagine that happening today?!?!?!? Didn’t think so.
By the way, NC State hired Norm Sloan to replace Press Maravich as coach; he recruited David Thompson a few years later, and the Wolfpack went 57-1 from 1972-74 and won the national title in 1974.
— Atlantic Sun tournament
Liberty 79, Eastern Kentucky 73
Kennesaw State 80, Lipscomb 71
Two two seeds in the league play in the A-Sun finals Sunday afternoon.
— Purdue 63, Wisconsin 61— Boilermakers snap 3-game road losing streak; they’re 3-4 in their last seven games- they need better production from guys other than C Zack Edey. In this game, Edey was 7-9 from floor, rest of the team went 17-49 (43.6%).
— Minnesota 75, Rutgers 74— Horrendous, hideous loss for Rutgers, to a Minnesota team that had lost 12 games in a row. Bracketology had them as a 9-seed Tuesday; we’ll see if this bad loss puts them on the bubble.
— Illinois F Matthew Mayer missed multiple days of practice this week because of “caffeine poisoning” which is what he called it. Mayer said he felt sick after he drank six Monster energy drinks in one day, while playing video games.
Apparently, this was a bad idea. According to registered dietitian Angie Asche:
“Caffeine is one of the only ‘pre-workout’ stimulants I recommend to my athletes, but it requires education on proper dosage and timing. Athletes don’t realize the serious consequences it can have on their performance and recovery.”
Excessive caffeine consumption can cause headaches, nausea, and diarrhea, as well as anxiety and insomnia that can seriously mess up your sleep. It is also dehydrating, and in rare cases caffeine can be dangerous, with massive doses linked to irregular heart beat, low blood pressure, and death.
Apparently Mayer recovered pretty well; Thursday night, he scored 24 points in Illinois’ 91-87 double-overtime win over Michigan.
— As for myself, I’ve never had an energy drink and now, I never will.
— The WAC and Conference USA are talking about forming a basketball scheduling alliance “for the next few years” according to Jeff Goodman of Stadium.
The primary goal of these alliances is to increase quality in the leagues’ non-conference schedules, so they can fare better in NCAA Tournament seeding. It also allows these teams to play quality non-conference games, without having to go on the road all the time, which they would have to do against the Power 5 conference teams.
Sun Belt and Mid-American Conference are also going to be doing this, starting next season.
— Baltimore Ravens seem to have some off-field issues; the players are mad at the GM, who criticized the team’s receivers. QB Lamar Jackson is serving as his own agent, which makes his contract negotiations a lot more dicey.
Team executives can say stuff about a player to his agent during negotiations, but when there is no agent, the executive has to say it directly to the player, and there is a much better chance of feeling being hurt during negotiations when they’re done that way.
— Every day, I scan the boxscores for spring training results and news about the 28 guys on my fantasy baseball team. I hold my breath that no one is hurt; baseball players get hurt a lot.
Juan Yepez fouled a ball off his shin. Dom Smith got hit with a pitch and almost got into a fight. These are things I don’t need to see. This time of year, no news is good news.
— Jonathan Quick was the goalie for the Los Angeles Kings for the last 16 years, helping the Kings win their only two Stanley Cups; Wednesday, the Kings traded him to Columbus, then on Thursday, the Blue Jackets traded him to the Vegas Golden Knights. 16 years as a building block of the franchise, then you get traded twice, on consecutive days. Has to be a little weird.
— Happy 88th birthday to Porky Pig; the animated character made his debut this week in 1935.
As for today’s Den, well……..That’s all folks!!!!
NCAAB
Friday, March 3
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Friday, March 3
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NCAAB
Armadillo's Write-Up
Friday, March 3
13 of Friday’s best college basketball games
MVC tournament (@ St Louis)
Northern Iowa vs Bradley
— Northern Iowa (14-17, 10-11) ranked #218 by KenPom
— Tempo: #163
— Experience: #340
— Continuity: #320
— Northern Iowa lost eight of its last ten games.
— Northern Iowa played four starters 29:00+ in last nite’s 75-62 win.
— Panthers have #322 eFG% defense in country.
— Panthers are 0-5 against top 100 teams.
— Northern Iowa is 6-6 in games decided by 7 or less points.
— Northern Iowa’s schedule, to this point: #188
— bench minutes: #334
— Northern Iowa’s best win: 69-57 over #133 Southern Illinois
— Bradley (23-8, 16-4) ranked #78 by KenPom
— Tempo: #284
— Experience: #211
— Continuity: #53
— Bradley won last ten games, covered last eight.
— Bradley hasn’t played since Sunday.
— Bradley has #16 eFG% defense in country.
— Braves are #23 team on defensive boards.
— Braves lost its first MVC tourney game the last two years.
— Bradley’s schedule, to this point: #202
— bench minutes: #153
— Bradley’s best win: 73-61 over #81 Drake
— Bradley beat Northern Iowa twice this year, 68-53/77-69
— Braves won four of last five series games.
Indiana State vs Belmont
— Indiana State (21-11, 14-7) ranked #95 by KenPom
— Tempo: #33
— Experience: #206
— Continuity: #88
— Indiana State won 8 of its last 10 games.
— Since 2003, Sycamores are 2-10 in 2nd round MVC tourney games.
— ISU had stress-free win last nite; no one played more than 27:00.
— Indiana State is shooting 59.6% inside arc (#1)
— Indiana State is #9 team in country on defensive boards.
— Indiana State’s schedule, to this point: #293
— bench minutes: #56
— Indiana State’s best win: 75-73 over #81 Drake
— Belmont (21-10, 14-6) ranked #126 by KenPom
— Tempo: #133
— Experience: #171
— Continuity: #265
— Belmont won four of its last five games
— Last five years, Bruins went 6-4 in OVC tourney games.
— Belmont is shooting 38.7% on arc (#11)
— Belmont gets 37.6% of its points on 3-pointers (#24)
— Bruins are 9-4 in games decided by 7 or less points.
— Belmont’s schedule, to this point: #196
— bench minutes: #187
— Belmont’s best wins: 78-76/63-60 over #78 Bradley
— Indiana State lost 89-88 at Belmont last week; they led by 19 in first half.
— That was teams’ first meeting as MVC rivals.
Murray State vs Drake
— Murray State (17-14, 12-9) ranked #225 by KenPom
— Tempo: #199
— Experience: #208
— Continuity: #345
— Murray State won four of its last five games
— Racers won OVC tournament three of last five years.
— Murray State is shooting 49.2% inside arc (#229), 32.7% on arc (#252)
— Racers have #241 eFG% defense in country.
— Murray State played 7 guys Thursday, in easy 78-50 win.
— Murray State’s schedule, to this point: #183
— bench minutes: #309
— Murray State’s best win: 88-79 over #23 Bradley
— Drake (24-7, 15-5) ranked #81 by KenPom
— Tempo: #110
— Experience: #27
— Continuity: #19
— Drake won 10 of its last 11 games.
— Last four years, Drake won its first MVC tourney game.
— Bulldogs have #61 eFG% defense.
— Bulldogs are #3 team in country on defensive boards.
— Drake has #78 eFG%, #61 eFG% defense.
— Drake’s schedule, to this point: #203
— bench minutes: #260
— Drake’s best win: 58-52 over #43 Mississippi State
— Drake beat Murray State twice this year, 82-64/94-68
— Those were these teams’ first two meetings as MVC rivals.
Missouri State @ Southern Illinois
— Missouri State (17-14, 13-8) ranked #152 by KenPom
— Tempo: #357
— Experience: #187
— Continuity: #334
— Missouri State is 5-2 in its last seven games.
— Missouri State played four starters 30:00+ in last nite’s 74-57 win.
— Missouri State went WL in six of last seven MVC tourneys.
— Bears are #42 team in country on offensive boards.
— Bears are shooting 33.1% on arc (#236), 62.6% on foul line (#358)
— Missouri State’s schedule, to this point: #165
— bench minutes: #34
— Missouri State’s best wins: 52-49/65-62 OT over #81 Drake
— Southern Illinois (22-9, 14-6) ranked #133 by KenPom
— Tempo: #332
— Experience: #23
— Continuity: #65
— SIU won five of its last seven games.
— Last four years, Salukis are 1-4 SU in MVC tourney games.
— 47.1% of SIU’s shots are 3’s (#11); they’re only making 32.3% of them (#276)
— SIU is shooting 55.7% inside arc (#16)
— Salukis has #55 eFG% defense in country.
— SIU’s schedule, to this point: #223
— bench minutes: #159
— SIU’s best win: 61-60 at #44 Oklahoma State
— Salukis beat Missouri State twice this year, 61-57/73-53
— SIU won 12 of last 14 series games.
CAA tournament (@ Washington DC)
Monmouth vs Hampton
— Monmouth (6-25, 5-13) ranked #353 by KenPom
— Tempo: #135
— Experience: #356
— Continuity: #327
— Monmouth lost its last four games, giving up 78 ppg
— Last seven years, Monmouth was 5-2 in its first MAAC tourney game.
— Hawks are turning ball over 21.1% of time (#331)
— Hawks are shooting 44.1% inside arc (#349), 27.9% on arc (#361)
— Monmouth is #341 team on defensive boards.
— Monmouth’s schedule, to this point: #184
— bench minutes: #62
— Monmouth’s best win: 69-67 over #207 Drexel
— Hampton (8-23, 5-13) ranked #341 by KenPom
— Tempo: #106
— Experience: #126
— Continuity: #178
— Hampton lost six of its last eight games.
— Pirates are having 4th straight losing season.
— Hampton is shooting 43.2% inside arc (#354), 32.4% on arc (#271)
— Pirates has #315 eFG% defense in country.
— Hampton is #272 team in country on defensive boards.
— Hampton’s schedule, to this point: #272
— bench minutes: #341
— Hampton’s best win: 75-72 over #207 Drexel
— Hampton beat Monmouth twice this year, 83-66/86-81
— Those were teams’ first meetings as CAA rivals.
WCC tournament (@ Orleans Arena, Las Vegas)
Portland vs BYU
— Portland (13-18, 5-11) ranked #155 by KenPom
— Tempo: #88
— Experience: #105
— Continuity: #30
— Portland lost four of its last five games
— Last five years, Portland is 1-5 in WCC tourney games.
— Pilots allowed 81+ points in four of their five losses.
— Pilots are shooting 56.6% inside arc (#8), 37.4% on arc (#30)
— Portland has #44 eFG% defense in country.
— Portland’s schedule, to this point: #93
— bench minutes: #86
— Portland’s best win: 83-71 over #56 Villanova.
— BYU (17-14, 7-9) ranked #75 by KenPom
— Tempo: #47
— Experience: #288
— Continuity: #230
— BYU lost seven of its last ten games.
— Since 2007, BYU is 13-3 in its first conference tourney game.
— Cougars are turning ball over 20.3% of time (#312)
— Cougars are #14 team in country on defensive boards.
— BYU is 10-2 vs teams ranked outside top 150.
— BYU’s schedule, to this point: #81
— bench minutes: #47
— BYU’s best win: 83-80 over #14 Creighton
— Portland (+10) lost 71-58 at BYU New Year’s Eve.
— Cougars won last 13 series games.
Pacific vs San Francisco
— Pacific (15-17, 8-9) ranked #175 by KenPom
— Tempo: #57
— Experience: #176
— Continuity: #264
— Pacific is 3-5 SU in its last eight games.
— Pacific made 10-20 on arc in last nite’s 84-71 win.
— Tigers are shooting 39% on the arc (#7)
— Tigers have #324 eFG% defense in country.
— Pacific is #313 team in country on defensive boards.
— Pacific’s schedule, to this point: #116
— bench minutes: #6
— Pacific’s best win: 95-89 at #82 Santa Clara.
— San Francisco (18-13, 7-9) ranked #107 by KenPom
— Tempo: #103
— Experience: #118
— Continuity: #198
— San Francisco won three of its last four games
— Dons won first WCC tourney game four of last five years.
— USF is shooting 35.7% (#90) on arc; 49% of their shots are 3’s (#3).
— Dons are shooting 53.5% inside arc (#55)
— Opponents are getting 22.9% of points on foul line (#343).
— San Francisco’s schedule, to this point: #100
— bench minutes: #188
— San Francisco’s best win: 97-60 over #63 Arizona State
— San Francisco beat Pacific twice this year, 78-57/76-68.
— Dons won 11 of last 13 series games.
Elsewhere……..
Akron @ Kent State
— Akron (21-9, 13-4) ranked #106 by KenPom
— Tempo: #306
— Experience: #39
— Continuity: #137
— Akron games
— Zips are 3-5 SU/2-5 ATS as a Big 14 road underdog.
— Akron has #67 eFG% defense in country.
— Zips are 4-10 in games decided by 7 or less points.
— Akron is 7-10 vs teams ranked in top 50.
— Akron’s schedule, to this point: #218
— bench minutes: #280
— Akron’s best win: 67-55 over #76 Kent State
— Kent State (24-6, 14-3) ranked #76 by KenPom
— Tempo: #157
— Experience: #59
— Continuity: #66
— Kent State won six of its last seven games.
— Flashes are 8-0 SU/4-4 ATS as a MAC home favorite.
— Flashes are forcing turnovers 23% of time (#16)
— Kent State has #33 eFG% defense in country.
— Kent State is 5-3 in games decided by 7 or less points.
— You’re reading armadillosports.com
— Kent State’s schedule, to this point: #193
— bench minutes: #219
— Kent State’s best win: 75-63 over #84 Toledo.
— Akron (-2) beat Kent State 67-55 February 3.
— Zips won five of last seven series games.
— Akron lost four of last five visits to Kent State
— MAC home favorites of 5 or less points are 15-8 ATS
Toledo @ Ball State
— Toledo (24-6, 15-2) ranked #84 by KenPom
— Tempo: #55
— Experience: #57
— Continuity: #28
— Toledo won its last 14 games (6-2 ATS last eight)
— Toledo scored 81+ points in 13 of last 14 games.
— Toledo is 7-1 SU/1-5 ATS as a MAC road favorite.
— Rockets are shooting 40.1% on arc (#2), 54.2% inside arc (#38)
— Rockets are #270 team on defensive boards.
— Toledo’s schedule, to this point: #260
— bench minutes: #346
— Toledo’s best win: 93-85 over #58 UAB
— Ball State (20-10, 11-6) ranked #153 by KenPom
— Tempo: #169
— Experience: #133
— Continuity: #54
— Ball State lost three of its last four games.
— Cardinals won seven of eight MAC home games SU.
— Cardinals are 3-2 ATS as a MAC underdog.
— Ball State getting 21.7% of points on foul line (#30)
— Ball State is shooting 37.7% on the arc (#23)
— Ball State’s schedule, to this point: #256
— bench minutes: #326
— Ball State’s best win: 82-70 over #76 Kent State
— Ball State (+9) won 90-83 at Toledo January 3.
— Teams split their last ten meetings.
— Rockets lost their last three visits to Muncie.
— MAC home underdogs of 4 or less points are 8-10 ATS
East Carolina @ Tulane
— East Carolina (15-14, 6-10) ranked #194 by KenPom
— Tempo: #171
— Experience: #348
— Continuity: #299
— East Carolina won four of its last six games
— Pirates are 2-5 SU/2-3-1 ATS as an AAC road underdog.
— East Carolina has #315 eFG% in country.
— Pirates are getting 21.4% of their points on foul line (#38)
— East Carolina is #205 team in country on defensive boards.
— East Carolina’s schedule, to this point: #167
— bench minutes: #141
— East Carolina’s best win: 75-71 over #65 Cincinnati
— Tulane (17-10, 10-6) ranked #94 by KenPom
— Tempo: #3
— Experience: #49
— Continuity: #1
— Tulane lost its last three games, giving up 85 ppg.
— Green Wave is 5-2 SU/4-1 ATS as an AAC home favorite.
— Tulane is #239 team on defensive boards.
— Tulane is shooting 54.1% inside arc (#40)
— Green Wave is 5-5 in games decided by 7 or less points.
— Tulane’s schedule, to this point: #120
— bench minutes: #294
— Tulane’s best wins: 96-89/90-89 OT over Memphis
— East Carolina (+6) upset Tulane 83-68 at home Wednesday night.
— ECU wan eight of last ten series games.
— Pirates lost 60-56/86-66 in last two visits to New Orleans.
— AAC double digit home favorites are 9-8 ATS.
Dayton @ Saint Louis
— Dayton (20-10, 12-5) ranked #69 by KenPom
— Tempo: #346
— Experience: #165
— Continuity: #4
— Dayton won seven of its last nine games
— Dayton is 5-3 SU in its A-14 road games.
— Dayton shooting 55% inside the arc (#23)
— Flyers have #6 eFG% in country.
— Flyers are 4-6 in games decided by 7 or less points.
— Dayton’s schedule, to this point: #163
— bench minutes: #198
— Dayton’s best win: 62-58 at #73 VCU
— Saint Louis (19-11, 11-6) ranked #104 by KenPom
— Tempo: #71
— Experience: #17
— Continuity: #49
— Saint Louis is 4-5 in its last nine games
— Saint Louis won seven of its eight A-14 home games.
— Opponents are shooting 46.5% inside arc (#41)
— Billikens are #65 team on defensive boards.
— Saint Louis is 3-7 against top 100 teams.
— Saint Louis’s schedule, to this point: #115
— bench minutes: #137
— Saint Louis’s best win: 76-73 over #31 Providence
— Dayton (-4) beat Saint Louis 70-56 at home February 10.
— Dayton won seven of last eight series games.
— Flyers split their last six visits to Saint Louis.
— A-14 home teams are 26-18 ATS in games with spread of 3 or less.
Stephen F Austin @ Utah Valley
— Stephen F Austin (19-11, 11-6) ranked #118 by KenPom
— Tempo: #101
— Experience: #245
— Continuity: #169
— SF Austin won four of its last six games
— SF Austin was 24-36 on foul line in OT loss to Sam Houston Wednesday
— Lumberjacks are 4-4 SU, 3-1 ATS as a WAC road underdog.
— Lumberjacks are forcing turnovers 24.2% of time (#8)
— SF Austin is #328 team on defensive boards.
— SF Austin’s schedule, to this point: #156
— bench minutes: #41
— SF Austin’s best win: 75-58 over #110 NC-Greensboro
— Utah Valley (23-7, 14-3) ranked #85 by KenPom
— Tempo: #67
— Experience: #139
— Continuity: #133
— Utah Valley won seven of its last eight games.
— Aggies are 7-1 SU/5-2 ATS as a WAC home favorite.
— Aggies has #4 eFG% defense in country.
— Utah Valley is getting 21% of its points on foul line (#45)
— Utah Valley is shooting 31.8% on arc (#297)
— Utah Valley’s schedule, to this point: #111
— bench minutes: #264
— Utah Valley’s best win: 77-72 at #41 Oregon
— SF Austin beat Utah Valley 78-59 LY in their only WAC meeting.
— WAC home favorites of 6+ points are 17-14 ATS
New Mexico @ Colorado State
— New Mexico (21-9, 8-9) ranked #47 by KenPom
— Tempo: #24
— Experience: #86
— Continuity: #60
— New Mexico is 3-7 in its last 10 games, after an 18-2 start.
— New Mexico is 3-5 SU/0-3 ATS as a MW road favorite.
— Lobos are getting 21.6% of their points on foul line (#34)
— New Mexico has #47 eFG% in country.
— Lobos are 6-6 in games decided by 7 or less points.
— New Mexico’s schedule, to this point: #80
— bench minutes: #347
— New Mexico’s best win: 69-65 at #8 Saint Mary’s
— Colorado State (13-17, 5-12) ranked #111 by KenPom
— Tempo: #249
— Experience: #207
— Continuity: #163
— Colorado State split its last six games SU
— Rams lost six of their eight Mountain West home games.
— Colorado State has #294 eFG% defense in country.
— Colorado State is shooting 56.4% inside arc (#13)
— Rams are 4-5 in games decided by 7 or less points.
— Colorado State’s schedule, to this point: #58
— bench minutes: #117
— Colorado State’s best win: 62-60 at #8 Saint Mary’s
— New Mexico (-7) beat Colorado State 88-69 at home December 28.
— Rams won five of last six series games.
— New Mexico lost its last four visits to New Mexico.
— MW home teams are 12-15 ATS in games with spread of 3 or less points.
Armadillo's Write-Up
Friday, March 3
13 of Friday’s best college basketball games
MVC tournament (@ St Louis)
Northern Iowa vs Bradley
— Northern Iowa (14-17, 10-11) ranked #218 by KenPom
— Tempo: #163
— Experience: #340
— Continuity: #320
— Northern Iowa lost eight of its last ten games.
— Northern Iowa played four starters 29:00+ in last nite’s 75-62 win.
— Panthers have #322 eFG% defense in country.
— Panthers are 0-5 against top 100 teams.
— Northern Iowa is 6-6 in games decided by 7 or less points.
— Northern Iowa’s schedule, to this point: #188
— bench minutes: #334
— Northern Iowa’s best win: 69-57 over #133 Southern Illinois
— Bradley (23-8, 16-4) ranked #78 by KenPom
— Tempo: #284
— Experience: #211
— Continuity: #53
— Bradley won last ten games, covered last eight.
— Bradley hasn’t played since Sunday.
— Bradley has #16 eFG% defense in country.
— Braves are #23 team on defensive boards.
— Braves lost its first MVC tourney game the last two years.
— Bradley’s schedule, to this point: #202
— bench minutes: #153
— Bradley’s best win: 73-61 over #81 Drake
— Bradley beat Northern Iowa twice this year, 68-53/77-69
— Braves won four of last five series games.
Indiana State vs Belmont
— Indiana State (21-11, 14-7) ranked #95 by KenPom
— Tempo: #33
— Experience: #206
— Continuity: #88
— Indiana State won 8 of its last 10 games.
— Since 2003, Sycamores are 2-10 in 2nd round MVC tourney games.
— ISU had stress-free win last nite; no one played more than 27:00.
— Indiana State is shooting 59.6% inside arc (#1)
— Indiana State is #9 team in country on defensive boards.
— Indiana State’s schedule, to this point: #293
— bench minutes: #56
— Indiana State’s best win: 75-73 over #81 Drake
— Belmont (21-10, 14-6) ranked #126 by KenPom
— Tempo: #133
— Experience: #171
— Continuity: #265
— Belmont won four of its last five games
— Last five years, Bruins went 6-4 in OVC tourney games.
— Belmont is shooting 38.7% on arc (#11)
— Belmont gets 37.6% of its points on 3-pointers (#24)
— Bruins are 9-4 in games decided by 7 or less points.
— Belmont’s schedule, to this point: #196
— bench minutes: #187
— Belmont’s best wins: 78-76/63-60 over #78 Bradley
— Indiana State lost 89-88 at Belmont last week; they led by 19 in first half.
— That was teams’ first meeting as MVC rivals.
Murray State vs Drake
— Murray State (17-14, 12-9) ranked #225 by KenPom
— Tempo: #199
— Experience: #208
— Continuity: #345
— Murray State won four of its last five games
— Racers won OVC tournament three of last five years.
— Murray State is shooting 49.2% inside arc (#229), 32.7% on arc (#252)
— Racers have #241 eFG% defense in country.
— Murray State played 7 guys Thursday, in easy 78-50 win.
— Murray State’s schedule, to this point: #183
— bench minutes: #309
— Murray State’s best win: 88-79 over #23 Bradley
— Drake (24-7, 15-5) ranked #81 by KenPom
— Tempo: #110
— Experience: #27
— Continuity: #19
— Drake won 10 of its last 11 games.
— Last four years, Drake won its first MVC tourney game.
— Bulldogs have #61 eFG% defense.
— Bulldogs are #3 team in country on defensive boards.
— Drake has #78 eFG%, #61 eFG% defense.
— Drake’s schedule, to this point: #203
— bench minutes: #260
— Drake’s best win: 58-52 over #43 Mississippi State
— Drake beat Murray State twice this year, 82-64/94-68
— Those were these teams’ first two meetings as MVC rivals.
Missouri State @ Southern Illinois
— Missouri State (17-14, 13-8) ranked #152 by KenPom
— Tempo: #357
— Experience: #187
— Continuity: #334
— Missouri State is 5-2 in its last seven games.
— Missouri State played four starters 30:00+ in last nite’s 74-57 win.
— Missouri State went WL in six of last seven MVC tourneys.
— Bears are #42 team in country on offensive boards.
— Bears are shooting 33.1% on arc (#236), 62.6% on foul line (#358)
— Missouri State’s schedule, to this point: #165
— bench minutes: #34
— Missouri State’s best wins: 52-49/65-62 OT over #81 Drake
— Southern Illinois (22-9, 14-6) ranked #133 by KenPom
— Tempo: #332
— Experience: #23
— Continuity: #65
— SIU won five of its last seven games.
— Last four years, Salukis are 1-4 SU in MVC tourney games.
— 47.1% of SIU’s shots are 3’s (#11); they’re only making 32.3% of them (#276)
— SIU is shooting 55.7% inside arc (#16)
— Salukis has #55 eFG% defense in country.
— SIU’s schedule, to this point: #223
— bench minutes: #159
— SIU’s best win: 61-60 at #44 Oklahoma State
— Salukis beat Missouri State twice this year, 61-57/73-53
— SIU won 12 of last 14 series games.
CAA tournament (@ Washington DC)
Monmouth vs Hampton
— Monmouth (6-25, 5-13) ranked #353 by KenPom
— Tempo: #135
— Experience: #356
— Continuity: #327
— Monmouth lost its last four games, giving up 78 ppg
— Last seven years, Monmouth was 5-2 in its first MAAC tourney game.
— Hawks are turning ball over 21.1% of time (#331)
— Hawks are shooting 44.1% inside arc (#349), 27.9% on arc (#361)
— Monmouth is #341 team on defensive boards.
— Monmouth’s schedule, to this point: #184
— bench minutes: #62
— Monmouth’s best win: 69-67 over #207 Drexel
— Hampton (8-23, 5-13) ranked #341 by KenPom
— Tempo: #106
— Experience: #126
— Continuity: #178
— Hampton lost six of its last eight games.
— Pirates are having 4th straight losing season.
— Hampton is shooting 43.2% inside arc (#354), 32.4% on arc (#271)
— Pirates has #315 eFG% defense in country.
— Hampton is #272 team in country on defensive boards.
— Hampton’s schedule, to this point: #272
— bench minutes: #341
— Hampton’s best win: 75-72 over #207 Drexel
— Hampton beat Monmouth twice this year, 83-66/86-81
— Those were teams’ first meetings as CAA rivals.
WCC tournament (@ Orleans Arena, Las Vegas)
Portland vs BYU
— Portland (13-18, 5-11) ranked #155 by KenPom
— Tempo: #88
— Experience: #105
— Continuity: #30
— Portland lost four of its last five games
— Last five years, Portland is 1-5 in WCC tourney games.
— Pilots allowed 81+ points in four of their five losses.
— Pilots are shooting 56.6% inside arc (#8), 37.4% on arc (#30)
— Portland has #44 eFG% defense in country.
— Portland’s schedule, to this point: #93
— bench minutes: #86
— Portland’s best win: 83-71 over #56 Villanova.
— BYU (17-14, 7-9) ranked #75 by KenPom
— Tempo: #47
— Experience: #288
— Continuity: #230
— BYU lost seven of its last ten games.
— Since 2007, BYU is 13-3 in its first conference tourney game.
— Cougars are turning ball over 20.3% of time (#312)
— Cougars are #14 team in country on defensive boards.
— BYU is 10-2 vs teams ranked outside top 150.
— BYU’s schedule, to this point: #81
— bench minutes: #47
— BYU’s best win: 83-80 over #14 Creighton
— Portland (+10) lost 71-58 at BYU New Year’s Eve.
— Cougars won last 13 series games.
Pacific vs San Francisco
— Pacific (15-17, 8-9) ranked #175 by KenPom
— Tempo: #57
— Experience: #176
— Continuity: #264
— Pacific is 3-5 SU in its last eight games.
— Pacific made 10-20 on arc in last nite’s 84-71 win.
— Tigers are shooting 39% on the arc (#7)
— Tigers have #324 eFG% defense in country.
— Pacific is #313 team in country on defensive boards.
— Pacific’s schedule, to this point: #116
— bench minutes: #6
— Pacific’s best win: 95-89 at #82 Santa Clara.
— San Francisco (18-13, 7-9) ranked #107 by KenPom
— Tempo: #103
— Experience: #118
— Continuity: #198
— San Francisco won three of its last four games
— Dons won first WCC tourney game four of last five years.
— USF is shooting 35.7% (#90) on arc; 49% of their shots are 3’s (#3).
— Dons are shooting 53.5% inside arc (#55)
— Opponents are getting 22.9% of points on foul line (#343).
— San Francisco’s schedule, to this point: #100
— bench minutes: #188
— San Francisco’s best win: 97-60 over #63 Arizona State
— San Francisco beat Pacific twice this year, 78-57/76-68.
— Dons won 11 of last 13 series games.
Elsewhere……..
Akron @ Kent State
— Akron (21-9, 13-4) ranked #106 by KenPom
— Tempo: #306
— Experience: #39
— Continuity: #137
— Akron games
— Zips are 3-5 SU/2-5 ATS as a Big 14 road underdog.
— Akron has #67 eFG% defense in country.
— Zips are 4-10 in games decided by 7 or less points.
— Akron is 7-10 vs teams ranked in top 50.
— Akron’s schedule, to this point: #218
— bench minutes: #280
— Akron’s best win: 67-55 over #76 Kent State
— Kent State (24-6, 14-3) ranked #76 by KenPom
— Tempo: #157
— Experience: #59
— Continuity: #66
— Kent State won six of its last seven games.
— Flashes are 8-0 SU/4-4 ATS as a MAC home favorite.
— Flashes are forcing turnovers 23% of time (#16)
— Kent State has #33 eFG% defense in country.
— Kent State is 5-3 in games decided by 7 or less points.
— You’re reading armadillosports.com
— Kent State’s schedule, to this point: #193
— bench minutes: #219
— Kent State’s best win: 75-63 over #84 Toledo.
— Akron (-2) beat Kent State 67-55 February 3.
— Zips won five of last seven series games.
— Akron lost four of last five visits to Kent State
— MAC home favorites of 5 or less points are 15-8 ATS
Toledo @ Ball State
— Toledo (24-6, 15-2) ranked #84 by KenPom
— Tempo: #55
— Experience: #57
— Continuity: #28
— Toledo won its last 14 games (6-2 ATS last eight)
— Toledo scored 81+ points in 13 of last 14 games.
— Toledo is 7-1 SU/1-5 ATS as a MAC road favorite.
— Rockets are shooting 40.1% on arc (#2), 54.2% inside arc (#38)
— Rockets are #270 team on defensive boards.
— Toledo’s schedule, to this point: #260
— bench minutes: #346
— Toledo’s best win: 93-85 over #58 UAB
— Ball State (20-10, 11-6) ranked #153 by KenPom
— Tempo: #169
— Experience: #133
— Continuity: #54
— Ball State lost three of its last four games.
— Cardinals won seven of eight MAC home games SU.
— Cardinals are 3-2 ATS as a MAC underdog.
— Ball State getting 21.7% of points on foul line (#30)
— Ball State is shooting 37.7% on the arc (#23)
— Ball State’s schedule, to this point: #256
— bench minutes: #326
— Ball State’s best win: 82-70 over #76 Kent State
— Ball State (+9) won 90-83 at Toledo January 3.
— Teams split their last ten meetings.
— Rockets lost their last three visits to Muncie.
— MAC home underdogs of 4 or less points are 8-10 ATS
East Carolina @ Tulane
— East Carolina (15-14, 6-10) ranked #194 by KenPom
— Tempo: #171
— Experience: #348
— Continuity: #299
— East Carolina won four of its last six games
— Pirates are 2-5 SU/2-3-1 ATS as an AAC road underdog.
— East Carolina has #315 eFG% in country.
— Pirates are getting 21.4% of their points on foul line (#38)
— East Carolina is #205 team in country on defensive boards.
— East Carolina’s schedule, to this point: #167
— bench minutes: #141
— East Carolina’s best win: 75-71 over #65 Cincinnati
— Tulane (17-10, 10-6) ranked #94 by KenPom
— Tempo: #3
— Experience: #49
— Continuity: #1
— Tulane lost its last three games, giving up 85 ppg.
— Green Wave is 5-2 SU/4-1 ATS as an AAC home favorite.
— Tulane is #239 team on defensive boards.
— Tulane is shooting 54.1% inside arc (#40)
— Green Wave is 5-5 in games decided by 7 or less points.
— Tulane’s schedule, to this point: #120
— bench minutes: #294
— Tulane’s best wins: 96-89/90-89 OT over Memphis
— East Carolina (+6) upset Tulane 83-68 at home Wednesday night.
— ECU wan eight of last ten series games.
— Pirates lost 60-56/86-66 in last two visits to New Orleans.
— AAC double digit home favorites are 9-8 ATS.
Dayton @ Saint Louis
— Dayton (20-10, 12-5) ranked #69 by KenPom
— Tempo: #346
— Experience: #165
— Continuity: #4
— Dayton won seven of its last nine games
— Dayton is 5-3 SU in its A-14 road games.
— Dayton shooting 55% inside the arc (#23)
— Flyers have #6 eFG% in country.
— Flyers are 4-6 in games decided by 7 or less points.
— Dayton’s schedule, to this point: #163
— bench minutes: #198
— Dayton’s best win: 62-58 at #73 VCU
— Saint Louis (19-11, 11-6) ranked #104 by KenPom
— Tempo: #71
— Experience: #17
— Continuity: #49
— Saint Louis is 4-5 in its last nine games
— Saint Louis won seven of its eight A-14 home games.
— Opponents are shooting 46.5% inside arc (#41)
— Billikens are #65 team on defensive boards.
— Saint Louis is 3-7 against top 100 teams.
— Saint Louis’s schedule, to this point: #115
— bench minutes: #137
— Saint Louis’s best win: 76-73 over #31 Providence
— Dayton (-4) beat Saint Louis 70-56 at home February 10.
— Dayton won seven of last eight series games.
— Flyers split their last six visits to Saint Louis.
— A-14 home teams are 26-18 ATS in games with spread of 3 or less.
Stephen F Austin @ Utah Valley
— Stephen F Austin (19-11, 11-6) ranked #118 by KenPom
— Tempo: #101
— Experience: #245
— Continuity: #169
— SF Austin won four of its last six games
— SF Austin was 24-36 on foul line in OT loss to Sam Houston Wednesday
— Lumberjacks are 4-4 SU, 3-1 ATS as a WAC road underdog.
— Lumberjacks are forcing turnovers 24.2% of time (#8)
— SF Austin is #328 team on defensive boards.
— SF Austin’s schedule, to this point: #156
— bench minutes: #41
— SF Austin’s best win: 75-58 over #110 NC-Greensboro
— Utah Valley (23-7, 14-3) ranked #85 by KenPom
— Tempo: #67
— Experience: #139
— Continuity: #133
— Utah Valley won seven of its last eight games.
— Aggies are 7-1 SU/5-2 ATS as a WAC home favorite.
— Aggies has #4 eFG% defense in country.
— Utah Valley is getting 21% of its points on foul line (#45)
— Utah Valley is shooting 31.8% on arc (#297)
— Utah Valley’s schedule, to this point: #111
— bench minutes: #264
— Utah Valley’s best win: 77-72 at #41 Oregon
— SF Austin beat Utah Valley 78-59 LY in their only WAC meeting.
— WAC home favorites of 6+ points are 17-14 ATS
New Mexico @ Colorado State
— New Mexico (21-9, 8-9) ranked #47 by KenPom
— Tempo: #24
— Experience: #86
— Continuity: #60
— New Mexico is 3-7 in its last 10 games, after an 18-2 start.
— New Mexico is 3-5 SU/0-3 ATS as a MW road favorite.
— Lobos are getting 21.6% of their points on foul line (#34)
— New Mexico has #47 eFG% in country.
— Lobos are 6-6 in games decided by 7 or less points.
— New Mexico’s schedule, to this point: #80
— bench minutes: #347
— New Mexico’s best win: 69-65 at #8 Saint Mary’s
— Colorado State (13-17, 5-12) ranked #111 by KenPom
— Tempo: #249
— Experience: #207
— Continuity: #163
— Colorado State split its last six games SU
— Rams lost six of their eight Mountain West home games.
— Colorado State has #294 eFG% defense in country.
— Colorado State is shooting 56.4% inside arc (#13)
— Rams are 4-5 in games decided by 7 or less points.
— Colorado State’s schedule, to this point: #58
— bench minutes: #117
— Colorado State’s best win: 62-60 at #8 Saint Mary’s
— New Mexico (-7) beat Colorado State 88-69 at home December 28.
— Rams won five of last six series games.
— New Mexico lost its last four visits to New Mexico.
— MW home teams are 12-15 ATS in games with spread of 3 or less points.
FRIDAY, MARCH 3
| Game | Time(ET) | Pick | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHSO at UNCA | 12:00 PM | UNCA -9.0 O 144.5 | +500 +500 |
| UNI at BRAD | 01:00 PM | UNI +10.0 O 135.0 | +500 +500 |
| WEBB at SCUS | 02:00 PM | SCUS +4.5 O 132.0 | +500 +500 |
| MONM at HAMP | 02:00 PM | HAMP -1.0 U 142.5 | +500 +500 |
| INST at BEL | 03:30 PM | INST -3.0 U 153.0 | +500 +500 |
| CIT at MER | 05:00 PM | MER -6.0 O 134.0 | +500 +500 |
| CAMP at LONG | 06:00 PM | LONG -6.0 U 131.0 | +500 +500 |
| TOL at BALL | 06:00 PM | BALL +4.0 O 158.5 | +500 +500 |
| AKR at KENT | 06:00 PM | KENT -4.0 O 133.5 | +500 +500 |
| CMU at WMU | 07:00 PM | WMU -6.0 O 137.5 | +500 +500 |
| M-OH at BUFF | 07:00 PM | M-OH +8.5 O 152.5 | +500 +500 |
| MURR at DRKE | 07:00 PM | MURR +11.0 O 141.5 | +500 +500 |
| DAY at SLU | 07:00 PM | DAY -1.0 U 137.0 | +500 +500 |
| ECU at TULN | 07:00 PM | ECU +11.0 O 156.0 | +500 +500 |
| UND at DEN | 07:00 PM | UND -1.0 O 149.5 | +500 +500 |
| VMI at CHAT | 07:30 PM | CHAT -12.5 U 148.5 | +500 +500 |
| ACU at SHSU | 07:30 PM | SHSU -7.5 U 135.0 | +500 +500 |
| SEMO at MORE | 08:00 PM | MORE -4.0 U 143.0 | +500 +500 |
| WIN at RAD | 08:00 PM | RAD -1.5 U 141.0 | +500 +500 |
| SFA at UVU | 08:00 PM | UVU -8.0 U 143.0 | +500 +500 |
| BGSU at OHIO | 08:00 PM | OHIO -9.0 O 158.0 | +500 +500 |
| EMU at NIU | 08:00 PM | NIU -4.0 O 149.5 | +500 +500 |
| CALBA at SUU | 09:00 PM | SUU -6.5 U 146.5 | +500 +500 |
| PORT at BYU | 09:00 PM | BYU -6.5 U 155.5 | +500 +500 |
| GRC at UTECH | 09:00 PM | GRC -1.0 O 148.5 | +500 +500 |
| NEOM at KC | 09:30 PM | KC +1.5 O 133.5 | +500 +500 |
| MOSU at SIU | 09:30 PM | SIU -2.0 U 120.0 | +500 +500 |
| UTA at SEA | 10:00 PM | SEA -8.0 U 134.5 | +500 +500 |
| UTM at TNTC | 10:30 PM | UTM -1.5 U 153.0 | +500 +500 |
| UNM at CSU | 11:00 PM | CSU +2.0 U 156.0 | +500 +500 |
| PAC at SF | 11:30 PM | SF -8.0 O 153.5 | +500 +500 |
