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.

North Carolina State (16-6 SU, 13-9 ATS) had a difficult week, and it wrapped up with one of the most ugly performances in recent memory. The Wolfpack actually hung with Virginia (20-1 SU, 16-5 ATS), falling 66-65 in overtime at PNC Arena in Raleigh. Perhaps the emotional letdown was too much for the young Wolfpack, as they absolutely laid an egg against Virginia Tech (18-3 SU, 12-8 ATS) on Saturday. The Hokies do rank sixth in the nation, allowing just 60.2 points per game (PPG), and that likely bumped up even further after the took care of the Wolfpack by a 47-24 score which resembled more of a football score than today's era of high-scoring basketball. The Pack scored just 14 points in the first half, and 10 in the second, hitting just 9-of-54 (16.7 percent) from the field to set a new school low. It was also the lowest point total in the shot-clock era, which dates back to 1985-86.

 Buffalo (19-3 SU, 13-7-1 ATS) had been in the Top 25 rankings for a good chunk of the season, but the Bulls are likely to fall out of the rankings. In fact, they're not even in first place in the East Division of the Mid-American Conference. That's because the Bulls lost a crucial battle for first place against Bowling Green (15-6 SU, 13-6 ATS) to fall a half-game back of the Falcons. The Bulls are now 2-2 SU over the past four games, and 2-4 ATS across the past six outings.

Kansas State (16-5 SU, 11-10 ATS) and Baylor (15-6 SU, 14-7 ATS) currently sit atop the Big 12 Conference at 6-2, a half-game ahead of Iowa State (17-5 SU, 13-7-2 ATS) and Kansas (17-5 SU, 9-13 ATS), and one and a half games ahead of Texas Tech (17-5 SU, 7-14-1 ATS). Like football, these teams continue to beat on each other and it might cost them heading into March Madness. However, while the team is not currently projected to have anyone on the one-line, they might have several high seeds which will head into March battle tested. Kansas is on a major slide, going 2-3 SU and just 1-5 ATS over the past six outings. They'll look to turn things around against rival K-State. The Wildcats are a solid 5-1 ATS over the past six contests.

North Carolina (17-4 SU, 13-6-2 ATS) avenged a loss a couple of weeks ago against Louisville (16-6 SU, 12-8-2 ATS), beating the Cardinals at the KFC Yum! Center by a 79-69 score as 1 1/2-point favorites. Since that wake-up call from the Cards on Jan. 12, the Tar Heels have won five in a row and they have covered four straight. Total bettors have liked the Heels for their 'under' results, too, as the total has gone under in 9-2 across the past 11 outings. For the Cardinals, the loss snapped a six-game win streak and a four-game cover streak.

Tennessee (20-1 SU, 12-7-1 ATS) will likely remain atop the rankings at No. 1 after doing nothing to hurt their standing. They won two road games this past week, and the Vols have covered three in a row, and eight of the past 10. Gonzaga (21-2 SU, 16-7 ATS), a team Tennessee beat back on Dec. 9, has won 12 in a row since mid-December, and they're 9-3 ATS during the span. The 'under' is also a frequent happening for the Zags, hitting in nine of the past 12, too.

Auburn (15-6 SU, 10-9-1 ATS) could be poised for a return to the Top 25 after beating Missouri (11-9 SU, 8-11-1 ATS) and rival Alabama (13-8 SU, 9-11-1 ATS) by a combined 55 points to cover double-digit spreads in both instances. The 'under' ended up cashing in Saturday's game against 'Bama, snapping a six-game 'over' run. Washington (18-4 SU, 13-8-1 ATS) continues to sit atop the Pac-12, and they're likely set to make a return to the rankings this week, too. The Huskies have also covered nine in a row, while the 'under' is 4-1 over the past five, so they're a friend to bettors for sure.

VegasInsider Staff

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