Saturday’s college basketball schedule offers some of the best potential wagering opportunities of the season but also some tremendous peril, at least for some of the power teams and their backers. Even a mediocre or slumping team can become a viable threat, especially on their home court, against a power team. The largest crowds of the season will turn out on Saturday’s throughout the country to cheer on their home teams against the name brand power visiting what is often a potential trap. Balanced against that will be some power home teams looking to put the squeeze on their opponents to improve their overall March Madness tournament appeal. There are some good values that stand out for Saturday. Let’s take a look at what could be the best of the best.
St. John’s Red Storm at #2 Duke Blue Devils
The second ranked Blue Devils have been able to maintain good wagering value at Cameron Indoor Stadium despite the public pedigree and blue blood status. Duke has come away with the cash in 11 of their last 16 as a home chalk. They also boast the nation’s fourth ranked offensive attack going up against a St John’s defense ranked 234th for points allowed.
#12 Virginia Tech Hokies at #23 NC State Wolfpack
North Carolina State boasts the nation’s 14th ranked scoring offense and will be hosting a Virginia Tech team that has suffered five losses against the spread in their last six games. The Hokies have also failed to cover five of their last seven games on the road. The Wolfpack is better than the total sum of their parts with Torin Dorn, SJ Bryce, Markell Johnson, and Markell Johnson all averaging double figures for scoring. Virginia Tech has dropped dramatically as a betting value on the road with just one payout in their last five away from home.
#9 North Carolina Tar Heels at #15 Louisville Cardinals
Louisville could prove to be a live dog at home in what looks like one of the biggest games of the weekend. Head coach Chris Mack has quickly stabilized a program that was reeling after the corruption of departed coach Rick Pitino. The Cards have paid in three of their last four home matchups. Jordan Nwora gives The Ville a big weapon with 18.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game.
Texas Longhorns at #20 Iowa State Cyclones
Few programs in college basketball can boast the home court advantage of the Iowa State Cyclones at Hilton Coliseum where they have covered seven of their last eight games. Texas could be primed for a letdown after their big 73-63 home win and payout over Kansas last Monday night. The Longhorns have also come away with empty pockets in three of their last four on the road. Marial Shayok is a key weapon for the Cyclones with 19.6 points and five rebounds per game.
#16 Texas Tech Red Raiders at #11 Kansas Jayhawks
Kansas will be in no mood for any foolishness after their loss at Texas last Monday. And the Red Raiders could be the perfect cure for the Jayhawks with just two payouts in their last ten games. Texas Tech brings an offense that ranks among the worst in the country.
#1 Tennessee Volunteers at Texas A&M Aggies
The Aggies have proven to be one of the most dangerous home dogs in college basketball with eight payouts in their last 10 games getting points on their home court. Tennessee may prove to be an overlay as the public is much more aware of them now with their first in the nation ranking. There is going to be considerable public betting moves towards Tennessee and that makes the Aggies a capable contrarian home dog that should be getting a maximum price.
College Basketball Live Betting Odds Best Bets: Texas A&M Aggies, Kansas Jayhawks, Iowa State Cyclones, Louisville Cardinals, NC State Wolfpack, Duke Blue Devils.
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