COLLEGE BASKETBALL
AUBURN @ VANDERBILT (AUB -8.5, 156.5)
AUBURN -8.5
Sorry Vandy, but tonight is not the night. The Commodores' last three home games have all been impressive wins over the likes of Texas, No. 9 Kentucky, and No. 6 Tennessee. Tonight, they get the nation's No. 1 team coming off a home loss to Florida on Saturday. A big part of that upset was related to the Gators' size up front. That size allowed Florida to do something no team had done against Auburn all season - score 90 points.
You can bet Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl will dial up the intensity on the smaller Vandy frontcourt tonight. Don't forget, Auburn is still the No. 1 offense in the country in terms of Offensive Efficiency and they average over 85 points per game. After their last loss (their only one until Florida), Auburn came back and put up 98 against Richmond. Yes, it's Richmond, but still. In last year's home game against Vandy, the Tigers won by 27 points. I think they go off again tonight and take out some of that frustration against the Commodores.
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COLLEGE BASKETBALL
WESTERN MICHIGAN @ AKRON (AKR -17.5, 155.5)
AKRON TEAM TOTAL OVER 83.5 POINTS
Akron now has the nation's longest winning streak at 11 games. The Zips like to play fast. They rank No. 18 in possessions per game and they score 83.7 ppg, which ranks 13th-best in the country. At home, the Zips dial it up a notch and average 90 points per game! That's why they are 12-0 SU at home this year.
stern Michigan ranks 301st in the nation in scoring defense allowing 76.2 ppg. On the road, they give up even more. The Broncos allow close to 80 ppg in road games. I have played this one before and I'll play it again. I like Akron to have a big night on offense at home. The Zips have scored 85 or more points in 7 of their last 10 games.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
COLORADO STATE @ UTAH STATE (USU -5.5, 147.5)
UTAH STATE -5.5
The best backcourt you have never heard of is at Utah State. Ian Martinez (17 ppg) and Mason Falslev (14.5 ppg) are the Aggies' top two scorers and make this team go. Among mid-major programs, the Aggies are likely the best offense in the country. They average 81.4 ppg and that number jumps to 86 when they play at home.
Utah State is 10-2 SU at home this season. The two losses are to New Mexico, the top team in the Mountain West, and to UC-San Diego, the top team in the Big West. At one point this season, Utah State was 16-1, but a loss to New Mexico kind of took the Aggies off the national radar.
Colorado State is pretty much an automatic road fade. Since 2020, the Rams are just 9-18 ATS in conference road games.
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