THE SPORTS ADVISORS
Western Michigan (9-2, 5-5 ATS) at (15) Ball State (11-0, 8-2 ATS)
Ball State can wrap up a perfect regular season and a berth in the Mid-American Conference championship game with a victory tonight over Western Michigan, which brings a three-game winning streak into Ball State Stadium.
Playing their third straight midweek, nationally televised game, the Cardinals held off Central Michigan 31-24 last Wednesday, barely cashing as a 6½-point home favorite. Ball State, which averages 37 points and 456.1 points per game, has scored at least 31 points in 10 of its 11 games and hasn’t scored fewer than 24 points in any contest this season.
The Broncos took last week off after toppling Toledo 27-17 on Nov. 15, failing to cover as a 14-point home chalk. Since a season-opening 47-24 loss at Nebraska, Western Michigan has won nine of its last 10 games, scoring at least 27 points eight times. During their three-game winning streak, WMU has averaged 27 points and 402 total yards per game while giving up 14.7 points but also 402 yards per contest.
Ball State (7-0, 5-2 ATS in conference) controls its own destiny in the MAC West Division, as it leads both Central Michigan and Western Michigan (6-1, 4-3 ATS) by one game. Should the Broncos pull off the upset tonight, though, the three teams will be in a tie, with each having gone 1-1 against the other two schools.
The Cardinals have won five of the last seven meetings both SU and ATS in this rivalry, including last year’s 27-23 victory at Western Michigan in a pick-em contest. The visitor is on a 3-0 SU and ATS roll in this series, and the SU winner has cashed in each of the last nine head-to-head clashes.
Ball State is 5-0 (3-1 ATS) at home, putting up 41.4 points and 467 total yards per game, while allowing 17.4 points and 348.2 yards. Meanwhile, the Broncos are 2-2 SU and ATS on the highway and their offensive stats as a visitor (28.8 points, 394.2 total yards per game) are identical to their defensive numbers (28.8 ppg, 396 ypg).
In addition to its 8-2 ATS mark on the season, Ball State is on pointspread hot streaks of 19-7 overall, 4-1 at home, 15-3 against winning teams, 10-4 in November, 5-2 in MAC action and 6-2 when playing on grass. Western Michigan is 5-2-1 ATS in its last eight November contests, but otherwise is in ATS ruts of 7-15-2 against winning teams and 3-9-1 in league play.
For the Broncos, the over is on streaks of 5-1 on the road and 11-4 on grass, but the under has cashed in each of their last four November outings. Meanwhile, the Cardinals are on “under” streaks of 5-1 overall (4-1 in conference), 7-1 in November and 7-3 on grass. However, the over is 3-1 in the last four Ball State-Western Michigan battles (2-0 at Ball State).
ATS ADVANTAGE: BALL STATE
Navy (6-4, 4-5 ATS) at Northern Illinois (6-5, 6-4 ATS)
Northern Illinois looks to keep its slim bowl hopes alive as it closes out the regular season with a non-conference clash against Navy at Huskie Stadium.
The last time Northern Illinois was at home, it suffered a heartbreaking 33-30 overtime loss to Central Michigan, erasing a 30-14 fourth-quarter deficit before turning the ball over on its first offensive possession in overtime. However, the Huskies bounced back from that defeat with last Tuesday’s 42-14 rout of Kent State, easily cashing as a two-point road favorite. NIU outgained Kent State 397-253 (224-127 in rushing) and forced three fumbles while committing no turnovers.
Navy had a modest two-game winning streak snapped 10 days ago, falling 27-21 to Notre Dame as a four-point underdog. It marked the fourth time in the last five games that the Midshipmen had given up at least 27 points and the fourth time in the last five that they got outgained in total yardage.
This is a rematch of last November’s meeting at the Naval Academy, which the Middies won 35-24, but Northern Illinois got the cash as a 16½-point underdog.
Navy is 1-1 against teams from the Mid-American Conference this year, but the Midshipmen have failed to cash in five straight against the MAC (0-2 ATS this year). They’re also 0-4 ATS in their last four November affairs, but they’re 51-21 ATS in their last 72 on the highway and 15-6 ATS in their last 21 after a defeat.
Northern Illinois is on ATS upticks of 9-4 overall, 9-3-1 in November and 4-1 outside the MAC.
The over is 7-2 in Navy’s last nine on the highway and 8-3-1 in its last 12 in November, but the Middies have stayed under the total in seven of their last eight games on artificial turf. For Northern Illinois, the under is on solid streaks of 20-8-1 overall, 9-1-1 at home, 6-2 in non-conference play, 13-5-1 on turf, 7-3 in November and 7-2 against winning teams.
Finally, despite 59 combined points, last year’s meeting between these teams stayed under the 72½-point posted total.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NORTHERN ILLINOIS and UNDER
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Syracuse (4-0, 1-1 ATS) vs. (22) Kansas (3-0, 1-0 ATS)
(at Kansas City, Mo.)
One night after upsetting 18th-ranked Florida, Syracuse tries to take down another Top 25 foe when it clashes with the defending national champion Jayhawks in the CBE Classic championship game in Kansas City.
Five players, including two reserves, scored in double figures as the Orange got past Florida 89-83 as a 3½-point underdog in the semifinals of this event Monday. Syracuse shot 51.7 percent from the field, limited Florida to 48 percent, made 11 more free throws and enjoyed a 40-34 rebounding advantage. Syracuse is 8-2 SU (4-4 ATS) going back to last March.
Kansas extended its NCAA-best winning streak to 16 in a row with another strong defensive effort Monday, pounding Washington 73-54 as a six-point favorite. The Jayhawks haven’t allowed an opponent to shoot better than 30 percent from the field this season, and limited the Huskies to 29.2 percent. On the offensive end, Kansas shot 50 percent, had just 10 turnovers and saw four players score in double figures, led by Sherron Collins’ 18 points. Kansas has won 28 consecutive games in Kansas City.
These schools last met in the 2003 NCAA championship game, and Syracuse pulled off an 81-78 upset victory as a 5½-point underdog for its first national championship. The all-time series is split at 2-2.
Going back to last March, the Jayhawks are on a 10-3 ATS tear. Additionally, the Jayhawks are on pointspread streaks of 6-1 in neutral-site games and 6-1 in non-conference action, but they’ve failed to cover in five of their last six against the Big East. Meanwhile, Syracuse is 8-3 ATS in its last 11 games against the Big 12 but has failed to cash in seven straight games on Tuesday.
For Syracuse, the over is on stretches of 4-1 overall, 5-2 at neutral sites, 5-1 in non-league play and 5-2 on Tuesdays. Kansas has topped the total in six of its last eight against the Big East, but the Jayhawks have stayed low in seven straight lined games overall, including six straight at neutral sites.
ATS ADVANTAGE: KANSAS
(8) Notre Dame (3-0, 1-1 ATS) vs. (6) Texas (3-0, 2-0 ATS)
(at Maui, Hawaii)
It’s an early-season battle of Top 10 teams, as Texas clashes with Notre Dame in the semifinals of the annual Maui Invitational.
The Longhorns took down St. Joe’s 68-50 on Monday, cashing as a nine-point favorite. Texas, which has won all three of its games this season by 18 points or more, got a game-high 17 points from A.J. Abrams, and Gary Johnson (14 points, 10 rebounds) came off the bench to record a double-double. The defense stepped up and held the Hawks to 29.3 percent shooting, including 19 percent (4-for-21) from three-point range.
The Fighting Irish took the court after Texas and pummeled Indiana 88-50, easily cashing as a 15-point chalk. The Irish shot 50.7 percent from the field (10-for-26 from three-point land), held the young Hoosiers to 39.6 percent shooting (1-for-12 from long range) and finished with a 43-33 rebounding edge.
Going back to the start of last February, Texas is 18-3 SU and 13-6-1 ATS, while Notre Dame is on a 15-4 SU roll and a 7-4 ATS run.
These schools last met on the hardwood back in 2002, when Notre Dame scored a 98-92 upset win over then-No. 2 Texas as a one-point underdog in a preseason tournament in Washington, D.C.
Texas is on ATS streaks of 9-4-1 on a neutral court, 5-2 in non-conference play, 23-12-1 after a SU win and 7-1-1 on Tuesdays, but the Horns have failed to cash in five straight games against the Big East. The Irish are 4-0 ATS in their last four on Tuesdays, but they’re 2-4 ATS in their last six after a SU win and 1-5 ATS in their last six after a victory of more than 20 points.
The over is 7-3 in Texas’ last 10 games against Big East foes, but Notre Dame is in the midst of “under” streaks of 6-1 overall, 6-1 at neutral sites and 11-4 against non-conference foes.
ATS ADVANTAGE: TEXAS
(1) North Carolina (4-0, 1-2 ATS) vs. Oregon (3-1, 2-1 ATS)
(at Maui, Hawaii)
Oregon faces easily its stiffest test of the young season when it runs up against top-ranked North Carolina in the semifinals of the Maui Invitational.
The Ducks took apart Alabama in last night’s opening round, cruising 92-69 as a five-point underdog. Oregon, which lost to Division II Oakland 82-79 in overtime eight days ago, outscored the Crimson Tide 53-33 in the second half, as Joevan Catron (17 points, 13 rebounds) and Michael Dunigan (18 points, 10 rebounds) each recorded double-doubles.
North Carolina trashed tournament host Chaminade 115-70 in a non-lined game Monday, once again playing without the reigning national Player of the Year, as center Tyler Hansbrough sat out with a shin injury for the third time in the Tar Heels’ four games. UNC has hardly missed the big man, winning all four games by 15 points or more while averaging 82.3 points per game and holding the opposition to 65.3 ppg. Roy Williams’ squad is 40-3 SU since the start of last season, including 33-2 in the regular season.
The Tar Heels have won all three series meetings against Oregon, though the schools haven’t faced each other this decade. The Ducks went 3-6 SU against Top 25 teams last year, but did upset UCLA 68-66 in January 2007 in their most recent matchup against a top-ranked team.
North Carolina is on ATS runs of 36-16 in non-conference play, 4-1 at neutral sites and 4-0 against the Pac-10. On the flip side, Oregon is 1-4 ATS in its last five lined non-conference contests, 1-4 ATS in its last five at neutral sites and 0-4 ATS in its last four on Tuesdays.
The over is on runs of 4-1 for Oregon overall, 5-1 for Oregon on a neutral floor, 4-1-1 for Oregon on Tuesdays and 18-8 for UNC on Tuesdays. However, the Tar Heels have topped the total in nine of their last 10 against the Pac-10.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NORTH CAROLINA and OVER
NBA
Cleveland (10-3, 9-4 ATS) at N.Y. Knicks (7-6, 6-7 ATS)
LeBron James takes his high-scoring act to Madison Square Garden for the first time this season as he leads the first-place Cavaliers against the new-look Knicks.
James leads the NBA in scoring at 29.1 points per game and contributed 24 points, seven rebounds and eight assists in Saturday’s 110-96 rout of Atlanta, with Cleveland holding on to cover as a 12-point home chalk. The Cavs have won nine of their last 10 games, going 7-3 ATS, and they’re 3-1 SU and ATS on the highway during this stretch.
New York snapped a three-game SU and ATS slide with Saturday’s 122-117 home victory over the Wizards as a 2½-point favorite. The Knicks, who were involved in two blockbuster trades last week that sent Zach Randolph to the Clippers and Jamal Crawford to Golden State, had just seven players see action against Washington, but four of the five starters scored at least 22 points. New York is 5-2 (4-3 ATS) at the Garden so far.
The SU winner is 8-1 ATS in the Knicks’ last nine games and 10-2 ATS in Cleveland’s last 12.
These teams have alternated SU wins and losses in the last seven meetings between each other, with the Cavaliers taking last year’s final matchup 119-105 as a 4½-point road chalk. New York is 8-3 ATS in the last 11 against Cleveland, and the ‘dog has cashed in nine of the last 12 battles.
The Cavaliers are on a slew of positive ATS streaks, including 19-7 overall, 9-3 on the road, 11-3 against the Eastern Conference, 13-3 versus the Atlantic Division and 9-4 versus winning teams. On the other hand, New York is 3-8 ATS in its last 11 against the Eastern Conference and 4-11 ATS in its last 15 when going on two days’ rest.
The last four Knicks-Cavaliers matchups have soared over the total. Also, the Knicks are on over streaks of 5-1 overall, 15-7 at home, 6-2 on Tuesdays and 22-7 against winning teams, while Cleveland has topped the total in seven of its last nine overall and five of its last seven against the East.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER
Indiana (5-7, 6-5-1 ATS) at Dallas (6-7 SU and ATS)
The Mavericks go for their fifth consecutive win and a return to .500 as they host the slumping Pacers at American Airlines Center.
Dallas returned from a perfect 3-0 SU and ATS road trip and blasted the Grizzlies 91-76 as a nine-point home favorite Friday. The winning streak comes on the heels of an 0-5 SU and ATS nosedive, as the SU winner has covered in all 13 Mavericks games this season.
The Pacers kicked off a three-game road journey with Saturday’s 109-100 loss at Miami as a six-point underdog. Indiana has lost two in a row and four of its last five (1-3-1 ATS), and it is 1-4 on the road (3-2 ATS).
Dallas has owned this rivalry of late, winning five of the last six meetings (3-2-1 ATS). Last year, the teams split their season series, with the home team winning and cashing in each contest. The host is 7-2 SU in the last nine clashes and 13-2-1 ATS in the past 16, with the Mavs going 6-1-1 ATS in the last eight games played in Dallas.
Aside from their current 4-0 ATS hot streak, the Mavs are on negative pointspread runs of 1-5 at home, 7-19-1 against the Central Division, 3-7 after a victory and 4-9 on Tuesdays. The Pacers are in ATS slumps of 1-5 versus the Western Conference, 1-4 against the Southwest Division and 5-12 on Tuesdays, but Indiana is 39-18-2 ATS in its last 59 games when going on two days’ rest and 4-1 ATS in its last five after a non-cover.
The over is on a 9-4-1 ATS tear in this rivalry, and the over is also 10-1-2 in Indiana’s last 13 against the Western Conference, 5-0-1 in its last six against the Central Division, 8-3-1 in its last 12 on Tuesdays and 4-0 in Dallas’ last four games played on three or more days of rest.
ATS ADVANTAGE: DALLAS and OVER
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