Top 25 Betting Recap

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

5 minute read

Each week until March Madness we'll take a look at how the Top 25 fared from college basketball, but straight up and against the number, while also taking a look at their upcoming schedule.

Texas Tech (22-5 SU, 13-10 ATS) looked like they had the ship righted after a two-game losing streak Jan. 17-20, ripping off seven wins in a row. They also had four covers in a row before their 59-57 loss at Baylor (17-10 SU, 13-7 ATS), a team that has been a giant killer lately. The Bears avenged a 77-53 loss at Lubbock back on Dec. 29 when the Red Raiders coasted to the victory and cover as 7 1/2-point favorites. The Bears played great defense in their win, and the 'under' is 5-2 in their past seven victories. When the 'over' hits, the Bears are just 2-4 SU and 3-3 ATS.

Gonzaga (25-4 SU, 11-14-1 ATS) was able to power through a win against Pepperdine (4-24 SU, 9-18 ATS), a team which has struggled to cover the spread this season. The Waves have won just four times straight-up, and they were 25-point underdogs in this one. However, they kept the Zags within arm's length for a good chunk of the game before Gonzaga pulled away in the end. It was a stark contrast to the first meeting in Malibu back on Jan. 4 when the Bulldogs powered past the Waves 89-59 to cover a 24-point number. The Bulldogs are just 2-9 ATS over their past 11 outings. The 'under' has now cashed in six in a row for Gonzaga, as there were just 148 total points on Saturday, three fewer than the 151 total.

Oklahoma (16-10 SU, 8-17 ATS) continues its freefall, and they'll tumble out of the Top 25 this week. The Sooners are in an inexplicable five-game losing streak, with their last victory coming Jan. 30 against Baylor. Since flipping the calendar to February OU is 0-5 SU/ATS, and they haven't covered in seven tries dating back to Jan. 23, their only cover in the past 11 outings. It won't get any easier for the Sooners, as Kansas (21-6 SU, 13-12-1 ATS) looms on the upcoming schedule. The Jayhawks will be looking for revenge, too, as losing 85-80 in Norman. One thing bettors have been seeing with OU is the 'under', cashing seven times in the past 10 outings.

Saturday was a day of upsets in the Southeastern Conference, as Auburn (23-4 SU, 18-7 ATS) suffered an ugly loss at South Carolina (14-13 SU, 11-14-1 ATS) by a 84-75 score. It was the first setback for the Tigers since a 76-71 loss on the court of their rivals Alabama (17-10 SU, 14-11-1 ATS) on Jan. 17. Those two will meet on Wednesday on the plains. The Crimson Tide have shown some upside this season, as they have a nice collection of freshmen and younger players. However, Alabama hasn't been able to put it together consistently on the road. Bama lost at Kentucky (18-9 SU, 11-16 ATS) by an 81-71 count. The Tide has posted a 2-6 SU/4-4 ATS over their past eight true road outings.

Texas A&M (17-10 SU, 11-13 ATS) returned to the Top 25 this past week, and just as quickly as they're back they'll be gone. The Aggies aggravated their fans with an 0-2 SU/ATS week, including a demoralizing 94-75 rout at the hands of a very average Arkansas (19-8 SU, 14-13 ATS) team on Saturday. Actually, the Razorbacks have been a little bit above average lately, and they could be the next SEC team to make their way into the Top 25. The Hogs are on a four-game winning streak after their rout of A&M, and they have also covered each of the outings. Three of the games were at home, however. They have been dismal on the road, posting a 2-6 SU/ATS mark across eight true road contests this season. They're home to Kentucky on Tuesday before heading to Alabama on Saturday.

Also in the SEC, Tennessee (19-7 SU, 14-10 ATS) was denied its 20th victory on Saturday evening, as Georgia (15-11 SU, 12-11 ATS) came alive with a two-win week. The Volunteers  have dropped two straight away from Knoxville, and they're now a dismal 0-3 ATS over their past three outings overall after a four-game cover streak from Jan 27-Feb. 6. It won't get any easier, as they have a home date with Florida (17-10 SU, 12-13-1 ATS), a team which has been in and out of the Top 25 this season. The good news is that they catch the Gators at home. Tennessee is 6-0 SU/4-2 ATS across their past six home outings dating back to a loss Jan. 2 against Auburn.

VegasInsider Staff

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