TJ Rives:
All right, let’s take a look at the overall records. As we mentioned, the big man, a nice night last night at three and 0. You see his overall record there at the top. Ian Cameron, climbing back up with an impressive six and one night for him last night off of the show. Hope you were with us yesterday and that means nothing for today.
TJ Rives:
You see, Kyle Hunter’s record there, as well as we get ready to get going with arguably one of the biggest games in the west, certainly in the Pac-12 right now for the remainder of the season is the rematch game between Arizona and UCLA. We will have that one. I believe that one was going to be first, but I guess not here on the show. I’m looking at Sanford and [crosstalk 00:04:33].
Jeff Nadu:
Those graphics are wrong.
TJ Rives:
I think that graphic could be a previous day or games, guys, on that one. I don’t believe we have that one on the show today. So, you can come back to us on the camera. I was all ready to go with Arizona and UCLA and I’m looking at Sanford VMI going, what did I miss, is that one first. So, we’ll let them reload while we get ready to talk about UCLA and Arizona here in a couple of moments as we get ready to go. Go ahead, Jeff.
Jeff Nadu:
Yeah, one thing as we’ll get into the games in a second, make sure you send in your questions as I’m sure [crosstalk 00:05:05] as well. I wanted to say one thing about last night. We have to continue. One of the things when you’re looking at games, you have to continue to look at where’s this team in the grand scheme of things? Do they need these? Obviously, every team needs every game. But where are they on the bubble? Are they a team that still is trying to get into the NCAA tournament looking at bad losses, trying to find just spots that you don’t make sense.
Jeff Nadu:
Look, I’m going to keep saying it. I know Kyle knows this. He looks the entire card. Longwood and Upstate, they continue to cover numbers, man. These teams are really good against the spread. Also shout out to Dayton, that was an impressive win. I know he and Cameron had Dayton last night. They cracked [inaudible 00:05:46].
TJ Rives:
Yes.
Kyle Hunter:
That was impressive.
TJ Rives:
A game was over with in the first half with Dayton and VC. That’s a 40-point win, I believe. When’s the last time VCU lost by 40 in a conference game? You mentioned that. And a couple of more that we were talking about from last night as well. You mentioned Purdue. They go in and take care of business against Minnesota. You and Ian both had that game from last evening.
TJ Rives:
And I was watching some of the George Mason. Here we go again with the mid majors, George Mason right at the top of the Atlantic 10 playing St. Louis last night, controversial ending, double overtime game. How many times have you guys preached free throws on this show and missed free throws by George Mason cost them controversial end. Was it a travel or not for St. Louis on the game winning layup? Was it goaltending or not? They got the win, so conference play can be won.
Jeff Nadu:
Real quick.
TJ Rives:
Yeah, go ahead.
Jeff Nadu:
I know we’re about to start. But Furman last night, I want to quickly say about that. They were up 89-46 with 11:37 to go. Okay, they’re up by 40-
TJ Rives:
Wait, wait. They had 89 points with 11 minutes left. I did not realize that. Wow.
Jeff Nadu:
Yes. And they were up 43 with 11 minutes to go and barely covered the game. Go look at the final score. Pretty wild game there, a lot of point.
TJ Rives:
I mean, 89 points in the first, let me help me with the math, 29 minutes. Wow.
Jeff Nadu:
They had 63 at the half.
TJ Rives:
Wow. Big night there last night. And again St. Louis got the upset double overtime win at George Mason just to finish the thought there. Now, I believe we are ready. There it is you see it. UCLA rematch with Arizona. That is coming at the McKale Center in Tucson tonight. After the Bruins won by double figures at home in the first meeting about a week and a half ago, they now get seven, seven on the road here. The total at 149.
TJ Rives:
Kyle Hunter, we’ll let you begin on the discussion here. Seems like Nadu and I are monopolizing things on a Thursday. Give me a thought or two about this one, which is arguably the marquee game of the night.
Kyle Hunter:
Well, this is definitely the marquee game in the night. And we remember it was very recently that UCLA really embarrassed Arizona. I think Arizona remembers that game well also. Arizona comes into this game kind of struggling offensively after they’ve been so good for a long time. They scored 59 against UCLA and only 67 against Arizona State, 0.82 and 0.96 points per possession. UCLA playing great. They blew out their last two opponents without Johnny Juzang, which was really impressive to me. Jaquez Jr. is questionable for this game. That’s a really important injury node.
Kyle Hunter:
So, we’re going to want to see if we get any breaking news about that because he’s really key for their frontcourt certainly, a very versatile player. Arizona had to have this game circled. Quality Shots says that when that game was played last time and Arizona scored 59, according to the Quality Shots, it should have scored 73. I do think Arizona will score a lot more points in this game. The question is how many do you think UCLA will score?
Kyle Hunter:
I would lean to Arizona here in the first half tonight thinking they come out ready to go, slightly leaning to them in the full game. I don’t love laying seven points. Again, such a good team as UCLA. I thought the total was a tick low last night at 146. Lions moved up here to 149 today. So, I think it’s spot on now. But I think UCLA has played so well lately that I was hoping I get an even smaller number on Arizona, but I still leaned Arizona in the spot.
TJ Rives:
All right, I’m double checking here because there’s a conflicting thing about Juzang for this game and he’s been on the COVID-19 protocol list and it looks like that he is cleared to play. One outlet was saying, may not be, but he’s cleared to play for this game tonight. Jaquez, it’s an ankle injury for UCLA and he is questionable. Big man, thoughts here, revenge for Arizona home game?
Jeff Nadu:
Yeah, if you remember I was against Arizona the first time the two teams, but I thought was a great spot for UCLA and they took care of business. I still think this number in this game is too high. I think UCLA has all the ability to go in there and win again. I think they’re a really good team. When I look at UCLA, I surely think they’re a final four caliber type of team. They pass the eye test to me. Arizona doesn’t. I think they’re a gimmicky team. They have terrible guard play. And I think that’s the difference in this game. Tyger Campbell is just way better than Kerr Kriisa. It’s that simple.
Jeff Nadu:
And I think one of the reasons I’m not maybe as high on it as the first meeting is, as Kyle alluded to, Jaquez. If Jaquez is healthy and all I’m worried about is Juzang being completely conditioned, then I’d be fine. And I need Jaquez in there. Okay. This is not a real deep team. They’re deep. They’re not real deep. I think seven is too high. I would be on the side of UCLA here. I don’t know if I’ll be playing it, but it should be a great game.
Jeff Nadu:
It’s a shame that we have some of the injury issues and we have to remember, Tubelis is still having issues. I mean, you take him away, I mean, he’s one of their big minute guys. He’s a big good guard that low. What happens is, now you have to play more Umar Bello, who is a good defensive player. I don’t know if I always trust him offensively. He’s a good defender, but I worry sometimes about him. He did not play well the first time in a limited role. So, I think seven is too high. But I would need Jaquez in there. I want everybody healthy.
TJ Rives:
I love UCLA in this spot, even though it’s revenge for Arizona. Again, they played very well defensively. Will Arizona shoot it as poorly as they did? They began the game I believe I have this right at Pauley Pavilion. They made four of their first five, something like that. Then they missed 17 of their next 18 shots after that and fell behind significantly, never recovered. I’m looking here Tubelis, high ankle sprain is listed as doubtful for this game, latest we see in the mid-afternoon.
TJ Rives:
By the way, this is a 6:00 Mountain Time start due to TV ESPN, only 8:00 Eastern Time. It is not late, late night in the West Coast. So, keep an eye on the injuries and that kind of stuff for this tonight.
Jeff Nadu:
Hey, real quick.
TJ Rives:
Yeah, go ahead.
Jeff Nadu:
One other thing about Arizona, keep in mind, Bennedict Mathurin did not play well on that game. I think it was two for 16 from the field. You’d have to figure that’s going to be a bit better. But listen, again, this comes down to the conductor for Arizona Kerr Kriisa. He’s not good enough. Okay. He will be the problem with this team long term and this will be the reason they don’t make a run deep in the NCAA Tournament. It’s that simple. He’s not good enough. And Tyger Campbell ate his lunch the first time and he’ll do it again tonight.
TJ Rives:
There will be a loud environment in the McKale center. Big time, big time environment. We’ll see how they handle that. Okay, no official play from the handicappers. We give you plenty there on UCLA, Arizona for tonight. Let’s move on with the game that our guys are on. It is the Stetson game with Lipscomb. This again, an Atlantic Sun matchup where Lipscomb is favorite by five and a half based out of the Nashville, Tennessee area in that area in Central Tennessee. Kyle Hunter is looking at this one for tonight, including the total at 143. Kyle, what do you like for this matchup this evening?
Kyle Hunter:
Well, I mean, this is a slightly smaller game than the first one we talked about, certainly. But we like to look for value at these games. The Hatters, I love that nickname for Stetsons. That’s a great one. Stetson put up 113 points in our last game. Insane. That was against Eastern Kentucky, who does play really fast, but still they have 1.49 points per possession. It’s unheard of. They can’t do the same thing and get in here.
Kyle Hunter:
But they are up against a really bad Lipscomb defense. How bad are they on defense? They’re 345th out of 358 in defensive efficiency in the country. Stetson isn’t very much better at 314 out of 358. Lipscomb is 34th in the country and effective field goal percentage of offense. So, their offense has been really good all year. Both of these teams have had one issue on offense, and that’s turning the basketball over. The good thing is neither of these two teams force many turnovers at all. So, I don’t think we’ll have near as many wasted possessions as what they would usually see.
Kyle Hunter:
Lipscomb is 36 and efficiency on catch and shoot threes and they take a lot of threes. Stetson, again caching threes, number 347 out of 358. So, don’t be surprised if it’s raining some threes in this game for Lipscomb.
Kyle Hunter:
On the other side, Lipscomb defense 3/50, I think 358 in transition defense so they are not getting back, sets in is 14th and transition offense they don’t do a ton of transition offense but I think they’ll get some easy looks and transition here tonight. 143 is too low for this number. Stetson has been consistently in over team this year. And as this number is ticked down, I had to take the over on Stetson and let’s go near on this one.
TJ Rives:
I always learned stuff from you guys. I never knew there was a metric on catch and shoot threes and keeping track of that. You said Stetson is how horrible? Three hundred and what?
Kyle Hunter:
Catch and shoot threes, Stetson is defensively 347 out of 358.
TJ Rives:
And you said they’re also in the 350s on getting back on defense. So, let’s establish two things. They don’t guard spot up shooters. They don’t get back on defense. And so, Kyle is obviously big on the over. Big man, any thoughts here if no official play on this one?
Jeff Nadu:
Yeah, I don’t have much on this game. I get where he’s going. Lipscomb is a terrible defensive team. I don’t really know why there are five, six point favorite there either. But Stetson’s kind of gotten away from what they did best, which was if for whatever reason, Donnie Jones and this team are running a lot more, which I’m not a big fan of. I mean, they’ve always kind of done that on defense transition. They’ve allowed people to do what they want to do. But I don’t know. He mentioned the turnover issues as well. I don’t have a real good feel.
Jeff Nadu:
Gun to my head, I would probably take Stetson. I don’t think Lipscomb should be this kind of favorite to anyone. Keep in mind this season, they’re seven and 13 against the spread. Lipscomb come in three and six lane points. So, against the spread, I have no interest in laying points at them, especially anything above one, two. Five and a half or six, I think Stetson is actually a better team than Lipscomb. I think Lipscomb is really bad defensively. And that’s an issue in this game. I don’t have much on it, though.
TJ Rives:
All right. I do this show out of the Tampa Bay Area, West Central Florida, Stetson about two and a half hours to the east that away in DeLand, Florida. But this one on the road at Lipscomb. And we’ll see how that happens tonight. Kyle is rooting for points, points, points. Let’s lock it in. He’s on the over tonight in this matchup going over the total of 143.
TJ Rives:
All right, another game of interest tonight. That is New Orleans and Texas A&M Corpus Christi. We got the Privateers of New Orleans. Love that logo. And then, we have the Islanders of Texas A&M Corpus Christi, Texas A&M CC. All right. The Islanders laying four points at home, the total at 153. And what do we like for this matchup tonight. Big man, you’re on a play tonight. What do you like?
Jeff Nadu:
Yeah, which you mentioned the mascots and everything here, I think we can make the case. The color waves in this game are great. I mean, both these logos are awesome, the Islanders and the Privateers, just I really like both these teams to be fair. But I like what this New Orleans group has done a lot more. You look at Schlesinger’s team at five and 0 in conference, I think seven in one. Wait, no, they’re 701 at conference. My apologies.
Jeff Nadu:
They’re rolling. The only loss was the McNeese State, which is a neutral double overtime game. It was that little tournament that they had in Katy, Texas. When we look at this game, I just felt like at where they are against the spread with how good they are getting to the free throw, and they are one of the highest frequency teams to get the line in the country. Certain Americans, free throw attempts to field goal attempts. Corpus Christi cannot defend without fouling. I know Kyle knows that. This team struggles defensively to get stops and putting New Orleans on the line is the quickest way to lose games.
Jeff Nadu:
I think they hang in this game. I think the game is close. New Orleans has been real good all season against the spread particularly lately, covering four or five overall. I think they’re the much better defensive team. If I asked you who the best team in this conference was defensively, I don’t know if you’d say New Orleans. These are two really good defensive teams. But New Orleans is the best. They’ve rebounded the ball at a high level. They’ve been solid offensively. I like New Orleans. I think they can go in and win this game. I think they’re the best team in that conference. I think the Privateers get it done. I’ll take the four points.
TJ Rives:
And again, they’re five and 0 in the Southland and going in to Corpus Christi for this matchup. Just one more as a followup. You’ve been big on things like team totals and that kind of thing. How much did you contemplate, Jeff Nadu, a team total here versus the play on New Orleans?
Jeff Nadu:
I kind of mix it up. I guess it’s all about the number a lot of the time. When you bet a team tomorrow, I don’t view them as like an elite offensive team. With team totals, I’m going to stick with Arkansas, South Dakota State, Purdue, Vermont. New Orleans and Corpus Christi, they’re similar teams. I think it’s probably this game first to, I don’t know, 70 wins. I just had more interest in New Orleans as a dog. I mean, they haven’t lost in conference this year. I like three and a half that move to four. I’m willing to think it’s a close game and I think New Orleans is a better team.
TJ Rives:
Kyle, any thoughts? I know you don’t have an official play on this one. Any thoughts on this one for tonight?
Kyle Hunter:
Yeah, I was going to say what Jeff said, too. That these are the slickest mascots logos that we’ve seen so far. I think that might be the favorite one I’ve seen all season. As far as the game, I love the Jeff picked this way under the radar game. You guys know I love those definitely. New Orleans on a roll. They won eight games in a row. Easily the number one defense in the Southland by quite a bit so far this year. So, you give me the top defense in the conference and you give me four points, I’m always going to look at that side certainly. So, I agree with this.
Kyle Hunter:
This wasn’t a game that I was really badly interested in. But when I started looking at it when it was in the spreadsheet here for the show, I think this is a good look here on New Orleans because both teams are really reliant on getting to the free throw line. Jeff talked about that. But one of the two teams can defend without fouling, and that’s New Orleans. The other team can’t. Texas A&M Corpus Christi in the bottom 15 in the country at defending without fouling.
Kyle Hunter:
And what is New Orleans shooting from the free throw line in the conference, 78.1% from the free throw line. You shoot 78% from the free throw line, you get to the line that often. I like my chances of covering four points, getting four points. A nice under the radar game here. Both these teams play quick. It’s going to be an up and down battle. They can get a little bit loose with the basketball at times. But this is a Corpus Christi team that doesn’t defend without fouling and they also give up a lot of second chances. So, laying four points with a team like that. I’m not interested. I like New Orleans here as well.
Jeff Nadu:
Keep in mind, both games last year, New Orleans won by 19 and by eight. This is a team that I hope they get back to the term. I think Schlesinger has been there one time. But he’s been there a long time. He’s a good coach. And they’re a well-coached team.
TJ Rives:
They were broke. I mean, financially. They were basically about to be out of business. So, they came back from the depths of almost bankruptcy about two years ago, two, three years ago to still have a basketball program there in the New Orleans area. And I’ve been in that arena a bunch. That’s where the Sunbelt Conference would play its championship weekend. It’s championship tournament over and over again at the Lakefront Arena right on Lake Pontchartrain, where the Privateers play their home games. So, yeah, interesting story. They’re good.
Jeff Nadu:
I think what year was that? It was 2017 I think they got to the NCAA tournament. They lost their playing game. I think it was like Mount Saint Mary’s, somebody like that.
TJ Rives:
And it was probably within like two years of them almost having to cease the basketball program because of finances and they got in the NCAA tournament.
Jeff Nadu:
I think that ended up being a big point of contention when they got there in how they were kind of like a darling type of team because they … But yeah, you look at his teams over the years, it’s pretty incredible. They’re always like top 20, top 30 in getting to the line. They’re kind of a throwback to the old type of basketball. I’ve said before, these teams fall in love with the jump shot. New Orleans and teams like Corpus Christi, they’re really just get through the hole and get to the line, which is the old school way of doing it.
TJ Rives:
All right, let’s lock in the official play. Jeff Nadu is on the Privateers of New Orleans. You see it right there. He will take the points in the matchup in the Southland conference with Texas A&M Corpus Christi. Reminder, as Jeff said a little while ago, we are going to have some time for some questions and answers on the games for this Thursday. Fire those in in the chat in the Q&A. They’ll get them to us and we’ll be asking those in a few moments. If you’re watching us live here in the 1:00 Eastern Time hour, we’re here Monday through Friday, 1:00 Eastern Time on the BetUS College Basketball Show.
TJ Rives:
Again, I keep saying this. I know a bunch of people watch us later on in the day, see it after we’re done. But if you’re with us live and you want to participate, we’re interactive here. We’ll get to some of the questions as we go through the program.
TJ Rives:
And another reminder, too, to subscribe away here. We’re climbing, climbing, climbing on the subscriber list. I still have that goal of mine. I think the guys are with me. We can get to 1500 subscribers before we ever get to the month of March when things really I think will begin to take off. Keep hitting the like button, the bell, share it out. More people will find us. Spread the word socially that we’re here at 1:00 Eastern Time with the handicappers, Monday through Friday giving you the advice.
TJ Rives:
All right, one more game for an official play on our slate. It’s an outstanding Mountain West showdown, Laramie, Wyoming tonight, where Boise State comes in unbeaten in the conference. Boise State, I believe, it’s correct, 14 wins in a row, guys, correct me if that is wrong, as they get ready to play in Wyoming tonight. We’re back to Jeff Nadu for the official play here with Boise as a one-point underdog on the road. What’s the play for the night here, big man?
Jeff Nadu:
I’m on Wyoming here. There’s a couple things work for me here. They’re at home, which that game the other night was great. And that’s a great home crowd there in the auditorium I think they call it.
TJ Rives:
Correct.
Jeff Nadu:
By the way, I didn’t know there was … I know they’re the Cowboys. That’s their mascot I didn’t know there were actually so many cowboys in Wyoming honestly. I saw a bunch of cowboy hats and I always thought cowboy-
TJ Rives:
In the crowd you’re talking about, yeah.
Jeff Nadu:
Yeah, yeah. I always thought cowboys were in Texas and Oklahoma and that sort of thing.
TJ Rives:
It’s the west, brother. It’s the west.
Jeff Nadu:
Yeah.
TJ Rives:
They have some cowboys out there.
Jeff Nadu:
It’s way up there. But yeah, all in all, what a great atmosphere. It’s hard to go in there and play. They’re playing in revenge here. Lost to Boise the first game by three in Boise. Remembering that game though, they didn’t have their junior, Xavier DuSell, who I think is a pretty important player for them. He gives them eight to 10 points a game. He defends. He plays at a high level. You want to have all your top guys and you play teams like Boise. They’re going to get him back tonight.
Jeff Nadu:
One of our collaborators in the business, Jordan Majewski has talked about Wyoming and these teams. And he talks about how whoever stays out of foul trouble in this game, I think wins it. And you have some kids, Kigab for Boise. He’s foul reliant. Grahamy Ike, some of these guys are, when they get in foul trouble, they can really hurt their team because they’re not real deep teams either, these groups.
Jeff Nadu:
We couple the fact that you’re playing with revenge here with Wyoming. Why don’t we get squarely on the bubble? I mean, they have to have every game going forward. They’re at home here. I know they’re coming off a charged up game the other night. That was a couple of games ago, didn’t have to travel or anything. And I think they have the best player on the court in Hunter Maldonado. It’s that simple.
Jeff Nadu:
I’m going to not say it, but I’m going to say it. Boise has been a little lucky. I thought the other night against Fresno, they were really lucky. They didn’t foul at the end. They made some really lucky shots I thought late in the game. And if you watch the game, you know what I’m talking about. So, for me, I think Boise slips up here. It’s hard to go to Laramie and win, especially when the teams playing with revenge. I like Wyoming. I played the money on here.
TJ Rives:
I’m trying to remember you had that last Friday night with Fresno State. You had the over, I believe, in that game and you needed overtime. I’m trying to remember.
Jeff Nadu:
So, I had the over on Monday or Tuesday when they play Colorado State, Wyoming. I didn’t have the-
TJ Rives:
No, I’m talking about Boise State. I think you had the over or you have some kind of play-
Jeff Nadu:
No, I did not.
TJ Rives:
And you needed the overtime or whatever. And they got an OT.
Jeff Nadu:
Yeah, I didn’t play the Fresno-Boise game. That was just a game we talked about. I played the game one day but Wyoming and Colorado State needed overtime.
TJ Rives:
There you go. And so, there have been some wild games obviously this conference. Kyle, a quick thought on this one. Again, Boise confirmed has won 14 straight, hello, heading into Laramie tonight, very competitive game.
Kyle Hunter:
Yeah, I’m not anxious to go against Boise. But I also like Wyoming. These are two teams that I want to back. So, I’m going to pass on the side on this one. I will say great homecourt with the elevation there in Laramie, really good home court advantage. They have great fans. They have that elevation. Boise State playing so well. I really don’t want to go against them. You definitely could argue they’ve been a bit fortunate.
Kyle Hunter:
Wyoming hasn’t played a really tough schedules that be the knock on them at this point. The total has been pushed upward here. I think this total is a little bit too high. Now, up to 132. Wyoming’s weakness on defense is transition defense. But Boise State is not really a team that takes advantage of that. They play slowly. Wyoming shoots a bunch of threes, so you get some variance there with whether they’re knocking down the threes or not.
Kyle Hunter:
The Cowboys lost the first game because they had 14 turnovers to only 10 for Boise State. So, that’ll be something to keep an eye on. Both teams are excellent defensive rebounding teams, which is something you guys know I love for unders. So, under 132 is my lane in this game. I’m going to pass on the side route for Jeff here.
TJ Rives:
Let’s lock him in. The big man is on the Wyoming Cowboys for this matchup tonight in the Mountain West. He’s on the money line. He’s not worried. You’ve said this before. Repeat it for your audience today about when it’s such a small spread about laying a point or taking the money line and why you like the money line. Go ahead, Jeff.
Jeff Nadu:
Yeah, I anticipate it’s a close game. I don’t really want to screw around with one and a half or one or two, where if you’re up four or five late, I don’t want to worry about the backdoor bucket. It’s just something for me where I think it’s worth it. I played 118 on a money line. I thought that was worth the extra couple of dollars to play and not have to worry about anything. I just need them to win. I don’t need them to win by any certain amount.
Jeff Nadu:
Also, if they win by one, I don’t want to push. I’m not in this business to get my money back. I’m in it to win. So, I’m willing to take a little risk. I don’t do it often in playing these kind of numbers this high as far as 118 and 120. So, for me, I’m okay with it. I will throw one other thing in on Wyoming here. As Kyle alluded to, okay, actually, sorry, you alluded to it. How many games has Boise won in a row?
TJ Rives:
Fourteen, 14 in a row.
Jeff Nadu:
But there are a dog tonight by one. Yup. Explain that. That’s another good thing here. So, yeah, it should be a great game. By the way, same on whoever put this game on something called the Mountain West Network. What a joke. Seriously, this is a great game. It’s a shame that we have to watch these goofy mid tier big 10 games or some lame Georgetown and put this game on. I mean, what a joke.
TJ Rives:
They’re making you go and find it. I’m looking for the verification here. It’s not available anywhere other than the Mountain West Network. I know ESPN has an agreement with that conference. I wonder if it’s also going to be on ESPN’s Plus app or something or we have to look for it on the internet.
Jeff Nadu:
No, no. These TV networks will screw their watchers yet again and make you pay for it. What a joke. I mean, you know how much I pay for cable, TJ?
TJ Rives:
A lot.
Jeff Nadu:
A lot. And I have every channel I feel like I should have, yet I still have to pay for this crap like the Longhorn Network or the Mountain West Network. I mean, give me a break. I mean, these schools don’t make enough money. They need more money off the top to watch Texas play Rio Grande Valley early in the season. Give me a break.
TJ Rives:
I’m just looking, too. Because the Mountain West has a contract agreement with CBS and the CBS Sports Network. They’ve got the San Francisco-BYU game as the late night game on CBS Sports Network, so they didn’t pick up this one. And I’m with you. By the way, I cut the cord a couple of years ago and have not looked back because I was making the same as a house payment I think for my cable while we plugged away and couldn’t get all the games and they’re dropping networks and what is up with that?
TJ Rives:
All right, so anyway, the big man, he is on the money line with the Wyoming Cowboys tonight against Boise State. You were mentioning free throw shooting before we get into the Q&A. I’m going back to that George Mason game with St. Louis. George Mason at home, top team in the Atlantic Tanner, though they were tied for the lead with Atlantic Tanner, missed five free throws in the second overtime, five. They had a late three to tie it, but man, you would have wanted a couple of those free throws to go down where the late three puts you in the lead or something like that.
Jeff Nadu:
Yeah, this is why you’re so good, TJ. I totally forgot about that. I mean, that’s another huge problem in this game for Boise. It was 60.8% for their free throw line. This is a tossup game. That’s another great advantage for Wyoming here. I mean, in conference, I mean, Wyoming shooting free throws at 76%, guys. You look at Boise, 61%. That’s probably the difference in this game, lot working for the Cowboys here. I hate the Cowboys, the Dallas Cowboys. But I love the Wyoming Cowboys.
TJ Rives:
[inaudible 00:32:02] outstanding. All right, to the peeps that are watching us live, get the questions going. We got time for a few minutes of these. Aaron wants to know. He’s got the handle, Aaron Rod. I don’t think it’s Aaron Rodgers, but Aaron wants to know about USF and UCF. Again, I’m based in Tampa where the University of South Florida is. Mrs. Rives is a proud graduate of the Bulls. Go Bulls. I got it there on the screen.
TJ Rives:
All right. They blasted UCF unexpectedly by 20 in the first matchup in Tampa and USF is bad this year. This is revenge game for UCF tonight at home. The number is 11 and a half. All right. There’s no official play, guys. Pull it on this American Conference game in Orlando. The I-4 war renews about 70 miles, separate the schools from Interstate-4, UCF, USF, any thoughts?
Kyle Hunter:
Yeah. For this one, I think I like UCF to get their revenge and blow out a USF back in this one. We talked about this once briefly before. USF won 75 to 51 in the first game, but they did it was smoking mirrors, TJ. I mean, ShotQuality says that game should have been a UCF win by nine points. So, 33 points spread. I think UCF gets them back in this game. Big number to lay here. So, I think my way that I prefer to bet this game, USF team total under. I see 59 and a half now. I think this may tick up a little bit. A lot of people like to bet. There’s low numbers to the over. So, I think we can get a team total under 60.
Kyle Hunter:
I like the team total under here for USF. That’s a really bad offense, 55, 54 and 45 points in their last three games. UCF defense is solid. They haven’t really played very good lately, but they ought to be jacked up for this game, that’s for sure. So, I like USF on a team total under.
TJ Rives:
Again, USF has not had much go right. That game definitely went right that night. I got another one for you. They played a December game with Auburn, Auburn, hello, the number one team in the country, and they were leaving Auburn with three minutes left in the game as bad as they are offensively. It was a low scoring game in the 50s and Auburn outplayed them obviously in the final two or three minutes, won by five, something like that to win the game.
TJ Rives:
So, which USF team shows up and is it a vengeance situation, Jeff Nadu, for UCF? I know this. The Knights have a couple of revenge situations. They’re the revenge team tonight. They travel to Memphis on Saturday. Again, ice storm in Memphis. They’re not able to get out right now, but we’ll see if the UCF-Memphis game comes off for Saturday. That’s a revenge game for Memphis, who lost in Orlando. But first tonight, UCF, USF, any thought? No official play, I know.
Jeff Nadu:
Yeah, I think UCF, you have to just worry about the game in front of you. And this is one like Kyle said, major revenge here. They were poor in that first game. But when we look at the advanced metrics, probably should have played much better than they did. I for one, though, for whatever reason, I’ve watched a lot of UCF games. I always like watching them. I’m actually kind of enthralled by them.
Jeff Nadu:
And I’ve noticed really since November or even in December, they win games, but they don’t have a lot of success in winning by margin. I mean, you look at the last month plus, they’ve only got one game where they won by 10 or more points. And it was by 10. So, I don’t have a lot of love. I think they blow them out.
Jeff Nadu:
But the play I would make here, I think it’s a great one. Team total over 71 and a half. UCF plays a lot of pace. Offensively, they’re pretty good. I think to cover this number, you’re going to have to get to 75 anyway. I don’t really want to worry late in this game where this is 75, 67 or something. And I need to get up and over and into the double digits. I think it could be a little closer than we might think. I don’t really care about how much they win by. Just get by more than 71 points.
Jeff Nadu:
You know what? I’m going to play this, if I could add this to my card. I’ve been doing this a little bit recently. I’m going to play this one. I really like the spot for Central Florida. They’ve had some rough ones recently. I think they take some frustration out. I think they score a lot of points tonight.
TJ Rives:
I love how you talk yourself into these while we’re live on the show. It’s what it’s all about. But you didn’t seal it officially by holding the cup up. Please hold the cup up again and say UCF please on the team total.
Jeff Nadu:
UCF please. I will say the reason I didn’t … I have a lot of trouble sometimes, guys. And we’ve said this before.
TJ Rives:
Yeah.
Jeff Nadu:
We have to get these games in by like 9:00 AM. I don’t wake up till 10:30. I don’t have time to-
TJ Rives:
All right, so let’s clarify because Nadu is up watching late night basketball. So, you guys often start putting games in that you’re interested in for the line on Thursday or on Wednesday night in this case, with the stipulation, if it moves, I want to revise, maybe I’m not going to play it and sometimes by our 10:00 AM, 10:30 AM deadline, where we’re getting it to our friends at BetUS, so they can put the show together, the line is moved two or three points. That’s what you’re talking about for this game, right?
Jeff Nadu:
Yeah. And again, I sometimes just kind of, I had an interest in this anyway. So, yeah, I like this. I think it’s a solid play. I think we see a game that get into the mid-70s.
TJ Rives:
Okay. And he’s going to say team total officially. Aaron, you’ve sent in a request there and Jeff’s now on it with you on [crosstalk 00:37:24] tonight.
Jeff Nadu:
Seventy-one, seventy-one.
TJ Rives:
Seventy-one on the team total for UCF to be over that number tonight. Quickly two or three more. Dalton says, thoughts on the Conference USA matchup, Louisiana Tech lane two and a half with Florida Atlantic. Kyle, any thought on this?
Kyle Hunter:
Over is the lane that I would have in this game. The tempo of these two teams play at, I don’t think Florida Atlantic has anybody that can slow down Kenneth Lofton in this game. So, I guess I would lean Tech if I had to, but I don’t really like Isaiah too much. I’ll lean to the over.
TJ Rives:
Big man, any thought real quick before we move on?
Jeff Nadu:
Yeah. FAU’s plan was revenge. LA Tech knocked them out of the C-USA tournament last year. And as Kyle alluded to, Kenneth Lofton actually only had five points in that game and they still were able to win by six and knock them out. Look, LA Tech when stepping up against like a UAB or West Kentucky, the games are always close. And then, they have problematic issues sometimes. But against teams like this, I would lean LA Tech always. I think they’re going to, at the end of the day, be the best team in this conference. Yeah, I have no issue with LA Tech here. But it’s not a game I’m betting.
TJ Rives:
All right. Another viewer watching that is Matt says, Ohio team total in the MAC game with Eastern Michigan. The team total at 79 and a half. Do either of you have a thought on him looking at the Ohio team total for the Bobcats in the MAC?
Jeff Nadu:
Well, look, I mean, anytime you look at team totals, you got to look at pace. Okay, pace is going to be there. EMU likes to play fast, so does Ohio. I don’t know. I think Ohio is a good offense. I don’t think they’re an absolutely dazzling offense. I like Toledo a lot more. I think they’ll score, but EMU is not terrible actually. If it’s Western Michigan or Central Michigan, I have no issue. But you have to get to 80. And that’s a lot of points in a college basketball game. I think sometimes we fall in love with decently average teams. I think Ohio is a good offensive team. I don’t know, I kind of had them like 75-ish year. It’s not a game I’m betting on.
TJ Rives:
Anything else there, Kyle?
Kyle Hunter:
This is also a game that’s kind of mid-afternoon. This is a 2:00 PM start time in Athens.
TJ Rives:
Get there quickly. Get there quickly if you’re watching us live, exactly.
Kyle Hunter:
Right, right. And you’re getting ice storm here. There’s not going to be many people at the game. These are usually games I want to pass on. I know it’s in the middle of the afternoon. You want to bet a game like this. But this is a high team total. There will be pace here, but Ohio is likely to be smashing Eastern Michigan in this game. So, if they want back off a little bit at the end. That could hurt. I don’t have any feel for this one.
TJ Rives:
Again, the snow storm and the ice storm that’s been across the Midwest is moving into Ohio and that’s why they’ve moved some of these games up. So, good point. Good catch there. If you’re getting in on that Ohio game, they’re playing it earlier here in just a little bit as we do the live show on Thursday. Kyle wants to know about Troy at Georgia State. Troy getting six and a half against the best defensive team in the conference. Any thoughts here, guys, on that matchup in the Sunbelt?
Jeff Nadu:
I think you said it best. I mean, Georgia State this year is playing defense under Rob Lanier, which that’s a lot of the time avoided them there. They always played with four guards. They’re kind of Hofstra who played defense, which I like Hofstra. I wish they’d play defense. Georgia State kind of is that team. I’ll tell you this, there’s conferences that I don’t bet a ton of. Sunbelt is one of them, I don’t bet much Sunbelt. I just don’t think it’s a real good conference. I think a lot of the teams are kind of bunched up and are very similar. So, this is a complete pass. I often have to wonder, who asked about this game? What was the individual’s name?
TJ Rives:
Kyle. Kyle Zimmerman, not Kyle Hunter.
Jeff Nadu:
Yeah, Kyle.
TJ Rives:
Kyle Zimmerman, watch this.
Jeff Nadu:
I have to know, what about this game interest you? I’m always fascinated by people’s thoughts. But yeah, I think the tough one, my friend. I would look elsewhere.
TJ Rives:
Looking for the spot, maybe. Kyle Hunter, anything on this game, Georgia State?
Kyle Hunter:
I bet a decent amount of Sunbelt games. But Georgia State’s been much worse on offense and much better on defense than normal. So, kind of a unique look for Georgia State. Troy, pretty good defensive team as well. They’re actually number one in the Sunbelt defense. I’m not anxious to bet on under with Georgia State because of the tempo they play. I will lean that way though in this game.
TJ Rives:
All right, before we get back to the questions and answers, couple more minutes left here. Big man, I just noticed this. They’re off the COVID pause. IUPUI, IUPUI at home with Youngstown State provided they’re playing this game. Again, Midwest snowstorm, ice storm, et cetera, you have said over and over again, keep going to it. IUPUI not getting to their team total, especially if it’s in the higher 50s.
TJ Rives:
They’re at home with Youngstown State. I don’t know what their team total is. I just happened to see it on the card. And I haven’t played in a week and a half because they’ve been on COVID pause for the Panthers of IUPUI in the horizon. Any thought there? Youngstown State comes in six and six in the conference [crosstalk 00:42:36]?
Jeff Nadu:
Yeah, I’ll say this until this show ends in April or whenever their season ends, which won’t be in April. It’ll be way before that.
TJ Rives:
It will be way before that.
Jeff Nadu:
Listen, February 26th, basically, this season ends. But yeah, I’ve been on it for weeks. I’m not getting off it. I’ll be on this game. I’ll be on this team under until the season ends. As I’ve said before, I think they’re the worst team offensive I’ve ever seen at this level. They have had trouble scoring against defenses that are completely bereft of any talent. They felt a score I think 50 against Northern Kentucky, who really just allows whatever they want. And they scored 41 in that game. Illinois, Chicago was their high score. They scored 65.
Jeff Nadu:
Look, is Youngstown State a great defense? No, but I’ll tell you this, in conference and really all season, they’ve been very good in the half court. I mean, you could say what you want about Youngstown, but they’re actually a decent half court defense. So, yeah, I’m on this. And I’ll tell anyone, we have over 220 people watching this show. I will be on this until the season ends.
TJ Rives:
What is that tonight, if you have it in front of you? I know that [crosstalk 00:43:47]-
Jeff Nadu:
Fifty-four and a half.
TJ Rives:
Fifty-four and a half is the IUPUI team total.
Jeff Nadu:
And again, if it loses, I’ll be on it the next game, okay. It’s like there’s a lot of things. Look, someone asked me about Morehead State-Tennessee Tech. They need my stamp of approval. I’m not laying 11 with Morehead State. I’ve said that time and time again. I don’t want them in that price range. They don’t win games by more than 10 very often. I think they’ve only done it once or twice since Thanksgiving.
Jeff Nadu:
Morehead State as a team I want to lay four, five, six with. I don’t want to lay 11 with them. I just don’t. Could they beat Tennessee Tech on the way? Sure. But they’re not as good defense Morehead as they were in years past. Johni Broome is a great player and he’s better than most in this conference. But look at their bet profile. Kyle knows this. They don’t win a lot of games by double digits. They win a lot of games, 65, 57, games like that.
TJ Rives:
All right. Good enough. One more, tmac wants to know about Cal Bears hosting Washington. He says Cal is my top play. I’d love to hear more of a breakdown. He’s laying the two. Kyle Hunter, any thought for him? It’s not as attractive as the UCLA-Arizona game. It’s a Pac-12 game nonetheless on a Thursday night, late.
Kyle Hunter:
I just want to say real quick circling back that for the IUPUI one, nine times this year they scored 47 points or less out of 17 games individual one. That’s insane. And Jeff, I still remember the game where they played against Ohio State. They had like 37 points with seven minutes left. I walked out of the room, come back and my son’s like, “This team just finished with 37 points.” Oh, my god. You’re checking the wrong kid. No, they finished with 37 points.
Jeff Nadu:
How old is your kid, by the way?
Kyle Hunter:
Yeah, my son’s eight. He’s big [crosstalk 00:45:25].
Jeff Nadu:
Wow. I got to tell you. Can I say one thing about this? I don’t have kids. I don’t know if I ever will. I don’t know if I’m cut out for that. But I’ll tell you this. The fact that Kyle Hunter’s kid watch this IUPUI basketball, that’s [crosstalk 00:45:38].
TJ Rives:
I think he was watching more about Ohio State because he’s there. He’s around Ohio State [inaudible 00:45:43].
Jeff Nadu:
I can only hope my kid has the attention span. That’s a dream of mine to walk in and see my kid watching Lipscomb and Stetson. That’s awesome.
Kyle Hunter:
I’m sorry, I also took it off. I will say the Cal game here. Cal, I mean, they’re laying points. They’ve been losing every single game lately. I have a feeling maybe Jeff like Cal in this game as well. I lean toward Cal here thinking that this is their shot. You want to win a game. This is your chance to win a game. This is one of those where you kind of wonder why a team would be favored based on how they’ve been playing lately. Kind of goes against what you would want to bet here. But I think Cal laying the points or the under would be my lean.
TJ Rives:
Anything can happen in conference play, guys, as we rock along on the show. I was touting Miami earlier in the week. Am I going to get burned now for having touted Miami because they let Notre Dame come in and beat them at home last night in a poor performance for Miami. They got to make a case at large. They’ve been leading at the top of the ACC, but they still need some wins and they let Notre Dame come in and beat them after Notre Dame struggled. Did Notre Dame even get to 50 points against Duke on Monday night? I don’t even know if they did, but they came in and beat Miami at Miami, so it’s conference play. Yeah.
Jeff Nadu:
Notre Dame needed that. I mean, they’re kind of on the bubble. They needed that win. Real quick, I’m going to tell you right now, Cal is not a team that I’m running to bet right now. I’ll be honest, Washington is actually playing pretty well. This is the best I’ve seen them play in a long time. I mean, five or six overall-
TJ Rives:
You were killing them earlier in the year though. What are they doing better? Are they scoring some?
Jeff Nadu:
I think they’re really just kind of playing better defensively. They’re finding ways to score. I mean, 77, 82. Their findings says … And look, a lot of the teams in this conference are not good when you get really low, Utah and Oregon State. They beat Cal the first time by nine. Look, you have to be able to shoot against Mike Hopkins teams. He has that zone he got from Jim Boeheim. He’s not half the coach or even a quarter of the coach Boeheim is.
Jeff Nadu:
But I’m not running to lay the number with Cal. I don’t know why on earth this should be anybody’s top pick. No offense to that guy. But this team’s lost eight games in a row. I mean, they’re just not very good. They hang getting 14 maybe. But I mean, what about that? I mean, they were 16 point dogs against UCLA off a huge win. They couldn’t hang in that game. They got absolutely crushed. I wouldn’t be running to bet Cal right now.
TJ Rives:
All right. So, final advice there on that Pac-12 game. By the way, Gonzaga, we’ve not mentioned this, Gonzaga in San Diego playing the University of San Diego, not San Diego State, not the San Diego Chargers who aren’t there anymore. But it comes before they play BYU at BYU Saturday night, so they have got kind of like an NBA travel swing here of Thursday night in San Diego, Saturday night in Provo. Might there be a little look ahead here in, I don’t know, for Gonzaga. I don’t know. We’ll see. Just put it out there. They are playing later tonight in a matchup. [crosstalk 00:48:50]
Jeff Nadu:
Listen, have you watched his team this year?
TJ Rives:
Have I watched Gonzaga?
Jeff Nadu:
Yeah?
TJ Rives:
Yes.
Jeff Nadu:
Can I swear on this show? No, I cannot. They’re an effin machine, bro.
TJ Rives:
They are good.
Jeff Nadu:
And look at San Diego. What a fraud defense this is. I mean, if there’s a defense that’s going to get punished tonight, it’s this team. I mean, look at BYU. BYU crushed them offensively. Santa Clara put up 78. Both these teams put high 70s up. What’s Gonzaga … But UNLV put up 80 on San Diego. I’m not worried about look aheads. A team total over Gonzaga, first half team total, those you just can’t go wrong with. You’re right. It is a look ahead game. I get it. By the way, one of the great names for a pavilion in college basketball, the Jenny Craig Pavilion.
TJ Rives:
Yes, you know why.
Jeff Nadu:
[inaudible 00:49:42].
TJ Rives:
Well, you know why? She went there and she donated all the money to the school. And so, they’ve named the arena after her. It is the Jenny Craig Arena. It’s classic.
Jeff Nadu:
You know what’s funny about weight loss? What a complete scam that is as well. These people that have these magic powers and you can lose weight if you eat frozen meals. You know what I ate where I lost 125 pounds? You know what I ate every day?
TJ Rives:
Less.
Jeff Nadu:
Yeah, but I still ate whatever I wanted. I still ate peanut butter and jelly. I still ate good meals. Listen, you need to have discipline and control. That’s how you lose weight. Not this scam crap.
TJ Rives:
But Jenny Craig, I mean, why are we banging on her. She’s made her money. She donated it back to the school. That’s why she’s back to the point on the name of the arena.
Jeff Nadu:
Good for her. Very good.
TJ Rives:
All right. [inaudible 00:50:31] Yeah, quickly.
Kyle Hunter:
TJ, real quick, I will say, it was funny because Jeff and I, when you were bringing up the Gonzaga-San Diego when you’re in a bad spot, I could see both of us shaking our head. If you want San Diego here for the look aheads, I love look ahead spots. But I’m out on this one. I can’t bet against Gonzaga.
TJ Rives:
Do not is what he’s saying. Do not.
Jeff Nadu:
Go ahead. I mean, you can if you want TJ. You don’t seem to have any respect for the machine they are.
TJ Rives:
I’m not saying I don’t have respect. I’m saying that BYU is going to be amped up and I know BYU is playing San Francisco tonight I believe at home. So, is that a look ahead for them before they host Gonzaga Saturday night, keep an eye on that. We’ll just see. We’ll see what happens-
Jeff Nadu:
[crosstalk 00:51:12] so quick to get off here for by the way.
TJ Rives:
Well, yeah, okay, hold on. While you and I just completely go back and forth, yesterday, you were trying to run 100 meter dash to get off the show.
Jeff Nadu:
Well. My grandma’s birthday, bro.
TJ Rives:
I understand. And you went there. Grandma was 95 and you went to the birthday party yesterday, I get that, I get that. But I’m not trying to rush us off. I just want to get back to the best bets and show the peeps what we picked back earlier in the show. Some people have a lesser attention span. Here’s what we had earlier in the show. Jeff is officially on a side with New Orleans, the Privateers and their matchup with Texas A&M Corpus Christi. Kyle loves the over in the Stetson-Lipscomb game. Jeff also was on a side. He likes Wyoming on the money line and you added a coffee cup raise for UCF team total, correct, brother Nadu-
Jeff Nadu:
Yes.
TJ Rives:
… tonight against South Florida out of Tampa in the revenge game. You like the UCF team total? Not the [crosstalk 00:52:06].
Jeff Nadu:
Yeah, 71. I apologize for adding it. I know the graphics team-
TJ Rives:
It’s okay.
Jeff Nadu:
… work hard to get those up. I will do that so much. But yes, I have added that one as well.
TJ Rives:
Okay, Kyle Hunter, anything else before we are done here on a Thursday?
Kyle Hunter:
Oh, yeah, two things. I would have had Eastern Illinois under. It’s my second play and then that game got canceled here last minute. So, unfortunate on that, but I want to say thanks, you guys. The chat’s on fire today. A lot of people in here. We all appreciate you being here. Thanks a lot.
TJ Rives:
Mr. Nadu, big man, anything else in closing here?
Jeff Nadu:
Yeah, I appreciate everybody in here. I think this was our best show we’ve done yet. No offense to anyone else. But we always have great shows here. If you enjoy college basketball, please hit the like button. Please subscribe. Please tell your friends. Please come here every day. We’re here 1:00 Monday through Friday. I’ll add and end with this. I saw a lot of chatter in the chat box about Bryant today. I know TJ-
TJ Rives:
Didn’t see that.
Jeff Nadu:
Yeah, Kyle mentioned it. Peter Kiss out for Bryant as far as I know. This Bryant team continues to have trouble shooting the basketball, but they have been rolling lately. They might still be worth a look in that game. Big card today. Choose wisely. But there’s one thing you can I think trust is that Gonzaga will put up a lot of points. But have a good day. Thanks for watching. Make sure to come back tomorrow for a Friday show.
TJ Rives:
Bryant, by the way, playing St. Francis, the Pennsylvania as the road favorite if anybody needed that officially. And you guys do a great job of interacting with the chat folks and we get some of the chat questions on the show. Again, as Jeff said, spread the word, more and more of you finding us. Monday through Friday, 1:00 Eastern Time. Kyle Hunter, Jeff Nadu, good luck with the plays tonight. Thank you for hanging here. We look forward to UCLA-Arizona should be the game of the night. Let’s see what happens there. We’ll talk about it tomorrow. Boys, thank you. Good stuff.
Jeff Nadu:
Thanks, guys.
TJ Rives:
And we thank you for watching the BetUS College Basketball Show and check out the best sportsbook site.
