NCAAB
Monday, November 12
Bowling Green lost 84-80 at St John’s Friday; they led by 11 with 16:24 left, but turned ball over 20 times (-12) and let it slip away. Falcons start three seniors and a junior; they’ve got four starters back from LY. VCU won its first two games by 12 points each; Rams start two sophs, three juniors; they’ve got three starters back from an 18-15 team tat went 9-9 in A-14. Last 3+ years, A-14 teams are 8-8 vs spread when playing a MAC opponent.
North Carolina hammered Stanford 96-72 in Palo Alto LY, making 11-26 on arc; Tar Heels are 2-0 with two road wins, winning by 11 at Wofford, 49 at Elon, both true road wins. UNC starts three seniors this year. Stanford won by 13 at UNCW Friday, they’re 2-0 already; Cardinal starts a frosh and three sophs. Last three years, ACC teams are 11-5 vs spread when playing a Pac-12 opponent.
Pitt is 2-0 under new coach Capel, beating couple stiffs while allowing 54 ppg; Panthers have three starters back from an 8-24 team that was 0-18 in ACC and got last coach fired. Pitt is starting three frosh, two juniors. Troy State lost 62-58 at Saint Louis Saturday, after leading by 13 late in first half; Trojans start a frosh and two sophs. Last 3+ years, ACC teams are 7-4 vs spread when playing Sun Belt teams.
Oklahoma beat Tex-San Antonio 97-85 at home LY, in game where teams combined to shoot 79 treys. Oklahoma won its opener by 15 at Rio Grande Valley; Sooners were 11-23 on arc- they start three seniors and a junior, but are picked to finish near bottom of Big X with Trey Young off to NBA. Texas-San Antonio is coached by former Oklahoma assistant Henson; Roadrunners lost its opener to an NAIA team. Big X teams are 9-7 vs spread in last 16 games vs C-USA teams.
Buffalo rallied back from 13 down with 8:05 left to win at West Virginia in OT Friday; Bulls start three seniors and a junior- they’ve got three starters back from LY’s 27-9 team that went 15-3 in MAC. Southern Illinois lost its opener 71-59 at Kentucky; Salukis were outscored 19-8 on foul line. SIU starts four seniors and a junior. Last 3+ years, MVC teams are 12-10 vs spread when play a MAC opponent.
Ill-Chicago allowed 86 ppg in losing its first two games by 17-10 points to Radford/Notre Dame; Flames start four juniors and a freshman- Radford made 12-21 on arc against them Friday. Duquesne made 12-26 on arc in its 84-70 opening win over Wm & Mary Saturday; they start three sophs and a freshman. Last 3+ years, A-14 teams are 6-5 vs spread when playing a Horizon team.
Long Beach State lost its opener 91-80 at UCLA; it was a 2-point game with 10:00 left; 49ers start four seniors, are picked 4th in Big West. This is 2nd of five Pac-12 opponents for Long Beach this year. Arizona State won its first two games by 8-28 points; they needed double OT to beat Fullerton, a Big West rival of Long Beach. Sun Devils start a frosh and three sophs. Big West teams are 13-7 vs spread in their last 20 games vs Pac-12 teams.
Utah won its opener by 14 over Maine; Utes starts three seniors, but lost four starters from LY’s 23-12 team- they’re picked to finish in middle of Pac-12 pack. Minnesota won its opener 104-76 over Omaha; Gophers have three starters back from a 15-17 team that went 4-14 in Big 14. Minnesota starts, two frosh, two seniors, an odd combo. Last 3+ years, Big 14 teams are 6-6 vs spread when playing a Pac-12 opponent.
San Diego scored 79.5 ppg in winning its first two games, over Weber State/Cal-Davis; Toreros have four starters back from LY, start four seniors, are picked to finish in middle of WCC pack. Washington made long road trip and lost by 22 at Auburn Friday; Huskies won their first home game by 18 over Western Kentucky after trailing by 9 at halftime. Last three years, WCC teams are 24-20 vs spread when facing a Pac-12 squad.
Monmouth allowed 86 ppg in losing its first two games, by 24 to Lehigh, 13 to Colgate; Hawks start three sophs, two juniors; they shot 25.6% on arc in first two games, are picked to finish in middle of MAAC pack. St Joe’s won its opener by 23 over Old Dominion; Hawks start three sophs- they’ve got three starters back from 16-16 team that went 10-8 in A-14. Last 3+ years, MAAC teams are 18-14 vs spread when playing an A-14 opponent.
Austin Peay lost its D-I opener by 28 at Mississippi State Friday; Governors start a frosh and two sophs- Miss State shot 76.9% inside arc against them. AP has three starters back from a 19-14 team that went 12-6 in OVC. South Florida won its opener by 17 over Alabama A&M; Bulls have only one senior in their rotation; they’ve got two starters back from a 10-22 team. OVC teams are 4-3-1 vs spread in their last eight games vs AAC teams.
Niagara upset St Bonaventure 77-75 in Olean LY, snapping a 6-game skid in this rivalry; Purple Eagles haven’t played yet this month- they’ve got four starters back from a 19-14 team- they’re picked to finish in middle of MAAC pack. St Bonaventure got upset by Bucknell in their opener, the hammered Jackson State; Bonnies start two frosh and a soph; they lost three starters from a 26-8 team that made the NCAA’s.