Top 25 Betting Recap
Editor's Note: Don't miss out on 30 days of Winning College Hoops Picks from Joe Williams for the 2018-19 NCAABK regular season. Click to win! 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.
Maryland (16-5 SU, 10-10-1 ATS) had a surprisingly difficult week. There was certainly no shame losing to Michigan State (18-3 SU, 16-5 ATS) at Breslin Center in East Lansing, although they put up very little resistance in the 69-55 loss as 8 1/2-point underdogs. However, it was a complete shocker to see them take it on the chin against a terrible Illinois (6-14 SU, 8-12 ATS) side in a neutral-site battle at Madison Square Garden in New York City. It's the third year in a row the Big Ten scheduled a random conference game at MSG, and the lack of success as far as attendance likely will make this a thing of the past. Maryland certainly won't be volunteering to take part again after what could be a costly loss.
Iowa (16-5 SU, 10-11 ATS) had a bad week likely the Terps. The Hawkeyes entered their game against Michigan State on Thursday with optimism. They left their home court with an 82-67 loss and doubts. They looked to get back momentum on Sunday afternoon in Minnesota (15-5 SU, 9-11 ATS), but their road woes, especially against the number, continued. The Hawkeyes slipped to 5-12-1 ATS over the past 18 road contests, and that could be their undoing as they jockey down the stretch. It might also get Iowa onto a much lower line in the NCAA Tournament than we anticipated for them even just last week. Minnesota could be visiting the Top 25 soon with 15 wins, but they're still just 4-7 ATS in the past 11 overall and 2-6 ATS at home over the past eight even after the win.
Virginia (18-1 SU, 16-3 ATS) rebounded nicely after their narrow loss and backdoor cover at Duke (17-2 SU, 11-8 ATS) last weekend, blasting both Wake Forest (8-11 SU, 8-11 ATS) and Notre Dame (11-9 SU, 7-13 ATS) by a combined 50 points, and by at least 23 points in each. They'll be facing a difficult gauntlet over the next four games with trips to N.C. State (16-4 SU, 12-8 ATS) and North Carolina (15-4 SU, 11-6-2 ATS) bookending a pair of home games against Miami-Florida (9-10 SU, 6-13 ATS) and Duke on Feb. 9. The Hoos enter the new week on a 10-game cover streak, best in the nation right now.
Buffalo (18-2 SU, 12-6-1 ATS) is now tied for first place in the MAC East Division after a stunning loss to a mediocre Northern Illinois (11-9 SU, 12-6 ATS) this past week. As a result, you can expect the Bulls will be treated rather harshly and they'll freefall down the Top 25 rankings, potentially into the 20's. Iowa and Mississippi (14-5 SU, 15-4 ATS) could be exiting the rankings are a pair of 0-2 SU/ATS weeks. Mississippi State (15-4 SU, 9-10 ATS) will look to add to the woes of the Rebels, trying to return the favor after losing on their home court to Ole Miss on Jan. 12.
Houston (20-1 SU, 14-6-1 ATS) is likely to take a big jump up the rankings this week after two more wins and covers. They suffer from the same thing UCF did in football, as the American Athletic Conference just doesn't seem to move the needle for the voters in The Associated Press or Coaches Poll. The Cougars will likely elevate with plenty of teams in front of them losing, however. And they're the first team in the nation to 20 victories. That has to count for something, doesn't it?
Purdue (14-6 SU, 12-8 ATS) is likely heading back to the Top 25 after winning at skidding Ohio State (13-6 SU, 8-11 ATS) before curb-stomping Michigan State (18-3 SU, 16-5 ATS) by a 73-63 score in West Lafayette. The Boilers have now won and covered five in a row heading into the new week, so watch them. Florida State (15-5 SU, 8-11-1 ATS) could be poised for a return to the Top 25 after a pair of wins, including a 78-66 win at Miami on Sunday. They have covered back-to-back games for the first time since Nov. 19-22. Kansas State (15-5 SU, 10-10 ATS) should also pierce the rankings, as they're tied atop the Big 12 standings with their rivals from across the state. The Wildcats have covered four of the past five, and the 'under' is 10-3 across the past 13 for those who love betting totals.
| 1 | Tennessee | 2-0, 1-1 | 6-4 | at South Carolina, at Texas A&M | | 2 | Duke | 2-0, 1-1 | 6-4 | at Notre Dame, St. John's | | 3 | Virginia | 2-0, 2-0 | 10-0 | at N.C. State, Miami-Florida | | 4 | Gonzaga | 1-0, 1-0 | 8-2 | at BYU, San Diego | | 5 | Michigan | 2-0, 1-1 | 5-5 | Ohio State, at Iowa | | 6 | Michigan State | 2-1, 2-1 | 9-1 | Indiana | | 7 | Nevada | 1-0, 1-0 | 5-5 | at UNLV, Boise State | | 8 | Kentucky | 2-0, 2-0 | 7-3 | at Vanderbilt, at Florida | | 9 | Kansas | 1-1, 0-2 | 3-7 | at Texas, Texas Tech | | 10 | Virginia Tech | 1-1, 1-1 | 4-6 | at Miami-Florida, at N.C. State | | 11 | North Carolina | 2-0, 2-0 | 7-3 | at Georgia Tech, at Louisville | | 12 | Marquette | 2-0, 2-0 | 8-2 | at Butler | | 13 | Maryland | 0-2, 0-2 | 5-5 | Northwestern, at Wisconsin | | T14 | Texas Tech | 1-1, 0-2 | 1-8-1 | TCU, at Kansas | | T14 | Buffalo | 1-1, 1-1 | 6-4 | Ball State, at Bowling Green | | 16 | Auburn | 0-2, 0-2 | 3-7 | Missouri, Alabama | | 17 | Houston | 2-0, 2-0 | 7-3 | Temple | | 18 | Villanova | 2-0, 2-0 | 7-3 | at DePaul, Georgetown | | 19 | Iowa | 0-2, 0-2 | 6-4 | Michigan | | 20 | Mississippi | 0-2, 0-2 | 7-3 | at Florida, Mississippi State | | 21 | N.C. State | 1-1, 0-2 | 4-6 | Virginia, Virginia Tech | | 22 | Mississippi State | 1-1, 1-1 | 5-5 | at Alabama, at Mississippi | | 23 | Louisville | 2-0, 2-0 | 5-4-1 | at Wake Forest, North Carolina | | 24 | Iowa State | 1-1, 2-0 | 7-3 | West Virginia, Texas | | 25 | LSU | 2-0, 1-1 | 7-3 | at Texas A&M, Arkansas | |
COLLEGE-BASKETBALL APR 9, 2024
