Bring on the upsets.
Bettors savor a February Fever prelude to March Madness, waiting to see if college basketball retains its knack for shock.
With four of the nation’s top 10 teams falling on Saturday, including No. 1 Purdue, bettors enjoyed a March Madness dress rehearsal.
Does it continue? Some college basketball betting trends for gamblers to consider this week are laid out below.
College Basketball Betting Lines
Here are college basketball odds from BetMGM Sportsbook.
| Game Time | Teams | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat (4/1) @ 6:09pm ET | FAU Florida Atlantic | +1.5 -105 | +115 | o131.5 -110 |
| SDSU San Diego State | -1.5 -115 | -135 | u131.5 -110 | |
| Sat (4/1) @ 8:49pm ET | MIA Miami (FL) | — | +200 | o149.5 -110 |
| UCON Connecticut | — | -250 | u149.5 -110 |
Houston: 22-2 Straight Up, 15-9 Against the Spread
This week’s schedule: Wednesday vs. Tulsa
Last 10 games: 5-5 ATS, 7-3 Over
Last games totals average:138 points (This is an added barometer for handicappers on the total).
A bettor might use a team’s total-points range to decide if there’s a perceived edge when the over/under total is posted at sportsbooks. Gamblers can then make some adjustments for an extremely good or bad defensive opponent.
If the real total is far outside the range, for example, one might consider a bet on the Over or Under.
Houston Intangible: Has a championship look. Was resolute in an 81-65 road romp over Temple on Sunday. Yes, the same Temple team that beat the Cougars two weeks ago in Houston.
In its put-away drive, Houston scored on 11 straight possessions and shot an eye-popping 17-for-21 from the field.
Looks like the nation’s top team and may get that designation, with top-ranked Purdue and Tennessee losing last week.
Houston vs. Tulsa: Trends and Stats To Consider
First matchup of the season was an 89-50 romp for Houston. That launched a 1-9 moneyline dive and 2-6-2 ATS record for Tulsa.
There’s been an average of 149 points scored in Tulsa’s last five games.
Because of its defensive weakness, Tulsa has been an Over machine at 8-2 in the last 10.
The handicapping question is how much Houston wants to win by and how long the starters stay in.
Purdue: 22-2 SU, 10-12 ATS
Schedule: Thursday vs. Iowa, Sunday at Northwestern
The Boilermakers try to begin anew.
Now that their nine-game win streak was snapped by Indiana on Saturday, they tackle Iowa and Northwestern this week.
Backers of this team are not likely to panic. Bettors had taken the Indiana game down to pick ‘em by tipoff. The result was not a shock.
Purdue College Basketball Trends and Betting Nuggets
Purdue is on a 41-1 tear when scoring 70 or more points. The one came vs. Indiana. It is 8-9 when scoring under 70.
Last 10 games entering this week: 6-4 Over, 6-3-1 ATS
Average total points scored last five games: 137 points.
Purdue vs. Iowa Trends
Purdue leads the overall series, 27-15
Purdue was 2-1 on the moneyline and spread vs. Iowa last year. The Boilermakers prevailed 83-73 and 77-70 during the regular season. The Hawkeyes turned the tables in the Big 10 championship game, winning 75-66.
Iowa Trends
Last 10 games: 7-3 ATS, 8-2 Over
Average total points scored last five games: 157 points.
Northwestern Trends
Last 10 games: 6-4 ATS, 7-3 Over
Average total points scored last five games: 135
Coming off a sweep of Wisconsin, playing well.
Tennessee: 19-4 SU, 13-10 ATS
Schedule: Wednesday at Vanderbilt, Saturday vs. Missouri
Last 10: 6-4 ATS, 6-4 Over
Average total points scored in last five games: 122
The Volunteers, who survived an upset bid by 25th-ranked Auburn on Saturday, go forward from a tense 46-43 triumph.
That prevented a disastrous two-loss week because they were bounced by Florida last week, 67-54 as the nation’s second-ranked team.
Intangible: Bettors will take Tennessee’s tenacious defense into consideration. The Vols yield 54.6 points per game, No. 1 in the nation. That standing extends to field-goal and three-point percentages allowed.
Got your eye on a prolific outside shooter? This is the team that player may struggle against.
Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt Trends
Vanderbilt last 10 games: 4-6 on the moneyline, 5-5 ATS
The last five games have averaged 143 points with this team.
Tennessee vs. Missouri Trends
Over last 10 games, Missouri is 4-5-1 ATS, 6-4 Under
Average total points scored last five Tigers games: 148.
Alabama: 20-3 SU, 13-9-1 ATS
Schedule: Wednesday vs Florida, Saturday at Auburn
Last 10 games: 7-3 ATS, 5-4-1 Under
Average total points scored last five games: 146 points
In its 79-69 triumph over LSU, the Tide just missed covering -11 and getting Over 148.5.
Florida College Hoops Trends
Last 10: 6-4 ATS, 7-3 Under
Average total points scored last five games: 126
The Gators have been playing exceptionally well.
This is a team finding its stride, having rattled Tennessee 67-54 last week. Gamblers are getting a hot team.
Went seven games without yielding 70 points until losing to Kentucky 72-67 on Sunday.
Auburn Trends
Last 10: 7-3 ATS, 7-3 Over
The Tigers have won three straight against the spread.
Bettors may look closely at their over/under totals.
The team’s games have averaged 142 points over the last five, but that’s influenced by a 46-43 loss to Tennessee, the nation’s top defensive team. Throw that out, and their previous five games averaged 147.
Arizona: 21-3 SU, 11-12-1 ATS
Schedule: Thursday at California, Saturday at Stanford
Last 10 games: 5-5 ATS, 6-4 Under
Three wins in a row ATS
Average total points scored in last five games is 140, but two of the last three have exceeded 160.
California Trends
Overall record: 3-20
Last 10 games: 3-7 on moneyline, including seven straight losses, and 5-5 ATS
Average total points scored in last five games: 128
Cal is starting to get more points against opponents at the sportsbooks. The Golden Bears were +16 against Colorado and rewarded bettors in a 59-46 setback.
Stanford Trends
Last 10 games: 5-5 ATS, 6-4 Over
Average total points scored in last five games:138
More Key Stats for Gambling Considerations
According to ESPN, the following teams have the largest point differentials against opponents. That will figure into handicapping assessments.
Houston +19.9
Tennessee +18.4
Sam Houston +17.6
Liberty +16.6
James Madison +15.8.
Top scoring teams:
Gonzaga 86.4
Oral Roberts 85.3
Southern Utah 85
Toledo 85
Cornell 84.7
Also Check: March Madness Odds
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