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.

Villanova (18-1 SU, 13-6 ATS) picked up two more wins and covers this past week, and they face two more unranked opponents in the upcoming week as they look to remain atop the perch of college basketball for another week. 'Nova has posted an impressive 8-2 ATS mark in 10 true road games or neutral-site battles this season. The defense has started to kick in for the Wildcats lately, too, as they're allowing just 63.4 points per game over the past four outings, and the 'under' has hit in four in a row. They're starting to round into championship form on the defensive end after some uneven performances in late December.

Wichita State (15-4 SU, 7-10 ATS) had an ugly week, losing a pair of games to Southern Methodist  (14-6 SU, 6-8-1 ATS) at home and Houston (15-4 SU, 8-7 ATS) on the road. Neither of the losses are particularly embarrassing or considered 'bad', especially the one in Houston. The Shockers have simply hit a bump in the road, failing to cover in three in a row, and seven of their past 10 overall. Cold shooting has been the problem, as the Shockers are averaging just 69.7 points per game over their past three, or 13.5 points per game worse than their season average of 83.2 PPG. They'll face two unranked teams (UCF (13-6 SU, 9-5 ATS) and Tulsa (11-9 SU, 11-6 ATS)) this week, as they look to get untracked.

St. Mary's (Calif.) (19-2 SU, 8-8-1 ATS) are expected to make a jump into the Top 25 after winning at Gonzaga (17-4 SU, 9-8-1 ATS) this past week, knocking the Zags from the ranks of the unbeaten in conference play. The Gaels will be vying for their 20th win of the season this week, and they're a solid 8-0 in the West Coast Conference with just one ranked opponent, a rematch with Gonzaga on Feb. 10, remaining on the schedule.

Ohio State (17-4 SU, 11-8 ATS) made their debut in the Top 25 this past week, and they remain tied atop the Big Ten with Purdue (19-2 SU, 14-6 ATS) at 8-0 in conference. The key to the success for the Buckeyes this season has been their defense, as they rank 48th in the country by allowing 66.2 PPG with a 40.6 field-goal percentage allowed. That ranks 44th in the nation. While they do not play an up-tempo style, ranking 78th in the nation with 78.4 PPG, they are a solid 26th in the country with a 48.9 field-goal percentage. Their next four games are at home against unranked foes before a showdown on Feb. 7 in West Lafayette against the Boilermakers.

Oklahoma (14-4 SU, 7-10 ATS) had a forgettable week, as they were tripped up in the hardwood version of Bedlam over the weekend at Oklahoma State (13-6 SU, 6-10 ATS), their third consecutive loss away from Norman. After a 5-1 ATS run, the Sooners are 0-3 ATS across their past three outings with a visit from Kansas (16-3 SU, 10-8 ATS) looming. A trip to Alabama (13-6 SU, 10-7-1 ATS) will not be a walk in the park this week, either, as the Big 12 and Southeastern have some interesting cross-conference battles on tap next weekend.

Kentucky (14-5 SU, 8-11 ATS) lost on the recruiting trail this week, as dunk specialist Zion Williamson chose Duke (17-2 SU, 11-6 ATS) over the Wildcats. And UK might be on the verge of tumbling out of the Top 25 after a pair of losses. The Wildcats are also just 1-4 ATSA over their past five outings, and they have failed to cover in each of their past three overall at Rupp Arena. One thing that has been consistent is the 'under', going 5-2 over the past seven for Coach Cal's bunch.

VegasInsider Staff

More from VegasInsider Staff