Jeff Nadu:
I didn’t watch during the game. I actually saw that at one point, UCF, I turned it on and it was an overtime. So, I had to go back and watch it. I actually was a little tight up with that. Anyway, I was recording my podcast that I think basketball is tough to watch, especially when you bet online on it, because it’s just so back and forth. I think what it does over the years I’ve done it a long time, it’s just really easy, man. Now that I get older, I can’t deal with that kind of stuff. I got a girl of breaking my balls. I got all sorts of problems going on. So, I’m cutting down on the odds. I’m good.
TJ Rives:
Welcome to adult life with all that we’re dealing with trying to watch games. But again, credit to UCF to come from behind and be able to win that game last night. Bobano, a thought on Florida State speaking of overtime and what is now an amazing stat. They have set the all-time division one record for most consecutive overtime wins. This is dating back to the 2017-2018 season. Florida State has now won 13 times in a row in overtime. The game with Duke goes to overtime and Tallahassee. They find a way to win. Ian Cameron, a quick followup from you on that upset win.
Ian Cameron:
Yeah. It was a great win for Leonard Hamilton and Florida State, very impressive landing that victory. Caleb Mills was outstanding shooting the basketball for Florida State. And you know what, for Duke when you look at it in that game last night back and forth it went, you look at it, they had a 49% shooting. It’s not like they shot terribly. But unfortunately for them, you have 15 turnovers. You’re going to have some problems. That was a concern for Duke going into that game to do rebounded as well.
Ian Cameron:
And just toughness in overtime and even late in the second half, Florida State had it. A lot of those battles on the glass, battles for rebounds, battles for possession and position in the low post, Florida State was winning those. And that’s always the issue I have with Duke. It’s just toughness sometimes and physicality is not their strong suit. And that’s basically where they got beaten by Florida State and that overtime last night.
Jeff Nadu:
I will say as well, TJ, this has always kind of lost in the shuffle, always we look at what the official picks were. But I mean you look at the Q&A we did, I don’t know if we had a loss. I mean, knock on wood. I mean, IUPUI under Florida State, Fresno, I mean, some of the questions that people ask, keep throwing the questions out, because I think it allows for good conversation. Some people were able to kind of throw things the way they want to go. And yeah, it was a good day. Hopefully, the days continue and we have a good one here.
TJ Rives:
I love that. And again, a foreknow day with Kyle Hunters to successful picks, which yesterday and looking back on those that was the Bowling Green Team total that hit and he hit with Syracuse against Clemson. He was preaching over and over again about Clemson just has seemingly gone to sleep in January again like they’ve done under Brad Brownell.
Ian Cameron:
Some horrible coach, Brad Brownell.
TJ Rives:
And they faded in this game.
Ian Cameron:
[crosstalk 00:04:33] as long as he’s been.
TJ Rives:
Yeah. They faded again in this game. So, Kyle got the cover there on that one. So, four and 0 night last night. Okay. So, let’s get the updated record tally here right now for the show when you see the big man on campus. Right now, leading the charge with 44 wins right now out of his picks. Again, he’s on much more frequently than a lot of our other handicappers. And again, with Kyle’s two successful picks, he’s now ahead on the 500 mark by two.
TJ Rives:
And so, that leads us right into the slate of games. And there are going to be a bevy of those. We will have some time for some Q&A a little bit later on.
TJ Rives:
But game number one coming up here in the SEC that is Alabama hosting LSU. What is wrong with the tide right now after being one of the top five teams in the country? They’re taking loss after loss including the Mississippi State this weekend. Meantime, speaking of taking losses, LSU took a loss to Arkansas. Now they get ready to play at Alabama as a four-point underdog. The total at 148 a half. Jeff Nadu, do you have the official play, what do you like?
Jeff Nadu:
I’m on LSU here. Listen, I’ve been very high on LSU. I’m just going to call and say I don’t think Alabama is very good. I don’t think they’re good match for … I think LSU is a bad matchup for them here. Look, I know people are going to point to the fact that Pinson is questionable. He’s a game time decision. I’ve talked about how important Pinson is on both sides of the basketball. Look, I’ve kept this though with Pinson not playing. Okay? I think at the end of the day, if we can get him in there, that’s a bonus for me. I put this game more like two.
Jeff Nadu:
When we look at Alabama, I think we need to come to the realization that they’re just not a real good shooting team. I don’t know how else to say it. It’s been all season. They’ve struggled to make threes. Now again, if they go out and make 17 threes tonight [inaudible 00:06:26] dream team could have beat them probably. I’m going to bank on the fact that they don’t do that. LSU, I think is problematic for Alabama because Alabama is a hideous two point defense. They can’t guard. They just can’t. And I know we can highlight without Pinson. They haven’t been good offensively.
Jeff Nadu:
But remember, they went on the road and beat Florida, beaten by six. And if we remember the other night against Arkansas, look, for 30 minutes that game, LSU is winning. They had no trouble. Arkansas just started hitting some shots and got hot. I think LSU is really good. I think Alabama is just not great. I don’t think they’re good shooting team. I think they’re going to basically be said, to do what they want to do. I think defensively this isn’t even close. LSU is a better defensive team.
Jeff Nadu:
And if we can get Pinson back tonight, I’m going to flip a coin that I’m going to get him in some way in this game. And I think even without them, I think they can hang in this game. Four is too high. I’m going to fade Alabama here and go with the team in LSU that even if they don’t get the job done, I think it’s a good sports bets. I think they’re the better team.
TJ Rives:
All right. It’s an interesting question about John Petty, the fantastic scorer from the team a year ago was not there, great three-point shooter, too. How much did they miss him? Ian Cameron, you are also officially on this game. What is your play in this LSU-Alabama game?
Ian Cameron:
Yeah. There’s no doubt that LSU, this is their best defensive team under Will Wade. There’s no question about that. And they’ve made huge strides at that end of the basketball court. I understand all of that. But they’re walking into Alabama. They’re facing a very, very desperate, I think, Alabama team after three straight losses, you would think you’re going to get Alabama’s best punch here in this game.
Ian Cameron:
And I think you’ll see Alabama score here in this one. I mean, you look at the series last year with these two teams, Alabama had no problem scoring against LSU. I think that’s going to continue here in this game. So, I think Alabama is going to score. I think Quinerly at a terrible game last game. He’ll shoot better. Shackelford will give you 20 plus at least like he normally does at home. I think you’ll see that here in this game.
Ian Cameron:
But the reason why I like the total in this game it’s because all the focus for LSU coming out of that home loss against Arkansas over the weekend. And there’s no shame in that. Arkansas a very good team, which fixing the offense, because in two games without Xavier Pinson, it’s been awful. This offense for LSU. It’s not been good.
Ian Cameron:
They’ve really worked extensively on picking up pace, moving the ball quicker, working on their spacing, working on things that could really help this team offensively going into this game. And actually it’s funny, Jeff mentioned the fact that Alabama’s struggled defensively in the paint. Will Wade was talking yesterday one of his quotes, “We got to put the ball inside a little bit more going into this game.” So, if they do that, I think that’s going to lead LSU scoring points.
Ian Cameron:
And more than anything, this total is 148. We’ve seen nothing but 150s and 160s with totals in this LSU-Alabama series. The coaches haven’t changed. Still Will Wade on one side. Nate Oats on the other. These are still teams that are top 100 in tempo and pace. To me, positive regression in terms of Alabama’s three-point shooting should start tonight.
Ian Cameron:
And LSU, there’s some negative regression that should gun for their three point defense, but I think LSU will get their offense going. It’s been a focal point for Will Wade, going with his team and practice, going into this game based on the way they performed offensively in two games since Pinson has been out. So, I think we’ll take advantage of what’s to me just too low of a total for this series’ history. So, I’m going to go over 148 and a half here. LSU, Alabama.
TJ Rives:
All right. We got a lot of games here to get to and I know some of you are already asking questions in the Q&A. So, we’ll kind of move things along. Let’s lock in the official place. Both handicappers on this game for tonight. Jeff Nadu has LSU on the road to at least keep it close if not win the game. And Ian likes points, points, points in this one going over the 148 and a half.
TJ Rives:
We move along quickly to a Southern Conference game. We have talked about both of these teams on multiple occasions here. Western Carolina traveling to Furman. Look at Furman laying 16 and a half at home in a conference game and the total at 153. Jeff Nadu isolated this one immediately as well. And what do you like here for the official play in this SoCon game?
Jeff Nadu:
Yeah. I like Furman here at home. I laid the number. I played 15 and a half. I played 16 and a half. I’m not real worried about this number. This screams 20-point blob. You look at Western Carolina, guys, in their 10 losses this season, 10 losses. I mean, they’re losing by an average of 15.8 points per game. I mean, they just get crushed. When they lose, they lose. They’re not going to win this game.
Jeff Nadu:
Couple that with the fact you got to go on the road and face, look, not only, I think the best offense in this conference, but this is one of the better offenses year to year in the country. I mean, Bob Ritchey always is a very good offensive team. They play fast. They have the ability every game to get to 90.
Jeff Nadu:
And when you look at Western Carolina, I just think they’re built. The reason they get blown out so frequently is their offensive strategy is dreadful. I mean, the three-point attempts to field goal attempts is third in America. So, what that means is they shoot a lot of threes, a lot. They only make 32% of them. It’s an awful way to score. They don’t get to the line. They don’t manufacture points anyway.
Jeff Nadu:
That’s the quick way to get blown out, especially against a team like Furman. Last year in Furman’s building, they won by 18. I think we see a similar effort here. I think Washington Carolina sucks. This team has gotten pummeled away this year. I think it continues here.
TJ Rives:
Again, Furman off to the 12 and seven start. The Timmons Arena, by the way, is the home of the Furman Paladins for this matchup. Ian, do you have a quick font here if no official play on this one?
Ian Cameron:
Yeah. I mean it to me when I look at it, actually, you know what, it’s funny, the over almost made it for an official play. But six is my cut off. I’m not going with more than six plays on any show. But this was close to making it. And there was just six that I liked a little bit more.
Ian Cameron:
But the over, I like it. I did bet the over here, 153. I think Furman will do most of the scoring. I mean, they’re going to be good to put up probably 80 or more. And Western Carolina, the Catamounts they do play extremely fast, 77th in the country in terms of tempo, but 330th in defensive efficiency. So, they’ll go up and down the court and they’ll get some points because of that, but then they’ll allow more possessions for Furman to score against a pretty terrible defensive team. So, Furman will get theirs. Western Carolina will do enough and I think it gets over the total. I like that.
TJ Rives:
Again, for the Paladins, they had won three in a row until the Chattanooga Mocs got them on the weekend in a two-point win in Chattanooga. So, now Furman back home. The Wednesday night official play belongs to the big man on campus. And he is all over Furman and laying the line. You see the BetUS line at minus 16 and a half for this matchup coming up.
TJ Rives:
We speed along things again on our slate and that includes a big east game for the night. That is St. John’s and Creighton. St. John’s with a solid win on Sunday. Now travels out to Omaha, Nebraska for the big east showdown with Creighton. Creighton lane three and a half the total 150 and a half. And we’re back to Ian Cameron. He does have an official play on this one. What do you like, Bobano?
Ian Cameron:
Yeah. Number one pace and big east conference play so far, the St. Johns Red Storm. And man, do they play fast. They want to get the ball up and down the floor. I think they’ll be able to do that here against the Creighton Bluejays who let’s be honest, defensively, it’s not been good for them the last couple of games. Had some decent defensive performances there in December. But as we get into big east play, especially the last two games on the road, I mean 28 Xavier getting 80 points against them. Villanova shooting nearly 50% from the floor against this Creighton team.
Ian Cameron:
I think St. John should be able to find their way to points here in this game. So, should Creighton, they’re back on their home floor where they do average a few more points per game at home this year. I think you’ll see Creighton be able to score. St. John’s has been a team I’ve been looking over the total a lot. And I’m going to let the series history dictate why I like this game over the total. I mean, we’re seeing 150 and a half, the last for head to head meetings since the beginning of 2020. And again, this has been McDermott versus Anderson, the two coaches. So, nothing’s changed there.
Ian Cameron:
94-82, 176, 91-71, 162 points in that game, 94-76, 170 points in that meeting. And then, 97-79 last January flew over the total. Where’s the evidence that things change in my opinion, especially when you’re seeing St. John’s fill it up? I think they will hear for straight overs all of them easily over the number we’re seeing here. So, over 150 and a half, St. John’s and Creighton.
TJ Rives:
All right. So, he’s got the play on the over big man, any thoughts here on the big east game if no official play from you?
Jeff Nadu:
Yeah. I would leave Johnny’s here. Creighton’s always kind of struggle with tempo teams kind of a clash of styles. Not a big fan of that. But I’ve got to continue to kind of have a longer leash with St. John’s. I think they’re a good team. I do. I continue to kind of be disappointed anytime they play a big game. And this would constitute a big game on the road in Omaha. They haven’t obviously been very good in their last couple of road games.
Jeff Nadu:
But yeah, I think they have a good shot here. I think defensively, Creighton’s not going to be great against St. John’s. I think they’ll struggle with the pressure that Johnny’s put on them. I didn’t have much in it though. I think the line is probably pretty on point. I lean St. John’s though.
TJ Rives:
So, as you mentioned.
Ian Cameron:
I think St. John’s is longer term upside this year. I don’t think that about Creighton as much.
TJ Rives:
And as you mentioned, they’ve been a different team at home. They were at home and dusted Georgetown on Sunday, but they had lost the previous two to Providence on the road and also the UConn on the road. How will they fare on the road here at Omaha? The official play is Ian Cameron’s and he is on the over for this biggie showdown or Red Storm and Creighton Bluejays.
TJ Rives:
Up next, we go to another interesting game here. We have talked about these teams a couple of times this year, including Colgate a team with a pre conference win over Syracuse. And then they’ve been tough to figure out taking some losses. Since that time, they are laying 10 and a half here on the road conference game at Bucknell. The over under at 149. We’re back to Ian Cameron for another official play and what he likes. Go ahead, sir.
Ian Cameron:
Yeah. It’s again, this has been the theme and I’ve had actually a good run with overs in college basketball. But the last week or so it’s been a big crux of the success. And the turnaround that I’ve had the last month has been finding these overs, finding situations where maybe the current form is lying a bit and series history dictate something different.
Ian Cameron:
Colgate and Bucknell, you’ve seen a lot of high scoring games with these two teams. You saw 105-75 last year when these teams played in the conference tournament. You saw Colgate has been able to score in the 80s and the 90s against this team. Bucknell is not a particularly good defensive team. They’ve had some hideous performances. They give up 97 to Lehigh in a home game just recently 97-64. I think they’re going to struggle to contain what’s a very well balanced, Colgate offense.
Ian Cameron:
At times they’ve struggled lately, but I think Colgate in this matchup against a weaker Bucknell Bison defensive team should be able to get it going. And if you look at recent meetings, they’ve had no problem scoring here against Bucknell.
Ian Cameron:
On the flip side, it’s good question is going to be what can you get in terms of Bucknell at the offensive end. I think being on the home floor should help them out in terms of getting their share of points here in this one. And I thought the total just came a bit too low in my opinion. And it’s has been bed down a bit, but I’m in disagreement with that. Not this total should have been 150s the very least, not the 148 I believe we’re seeing right now. So, going to go with it, Colgate and Bucknell over 148 and a half I believe is what it is the official number. I think you can even get 148 now with it.
Ian Cameron:
So, I don’t mind going against a line move when I feel it’s the wrong move. And I think it’s the wrong move here. So, I’m sticking with over here in this matchup.
TJ Rives:
And again, for the Colgate Raiders, they had taken some losses. They had a brief COVID pause cancellation of their game with American University. They come out and beat the two service academies, Jeff Nadu, Army and Navy. And then they’ve had another postponement with Holy Cross that was I believe I’m looking at it here it was Holy Cross that was on COVID pause. They couldn’t play them. Now, they’re playing at Bucknell. Any thought here on this game?
Jeff Nadu:
I have a weird story about Bucknell if you guys want to hear it quickly. I actually saw Bucknell play one time. Bucknell is in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, if you know anything about Lewisburg/ My best friend is in federal prison and he was at Lewisburg and I went to a game after visiting Lewisburg. It’s not far from it.
TJ Rives:
You never fail to disappoint with the stories. The only Bucknell game you’ve been to is after you visited your buddy in federal prison. My man, I love it. Keep going.
Jeff Nadu:
Early 2020, January, I believe. But yes, Lewisburg is a very beautiful scenic town with a nice federal prison there. Yeah. I like this game. I lean over for sure. I don’t understand the move down.
Jeff Nadu:
I also lean Colgate. I mean they’re kind of rolling right now in conference. But here’s the concern though in this game. I mean, Colgate is placed two kind of slower tempo teams. I think they kind of as he alluded to the gaming the conference tournament last year, I think that’s more of where this pace goes. I like the over. I was kind of surprised that it got into the 140s as well. I have no issue with this one.
TJ Rives:
All I can say is no matter what we do the rest of the show, we ain’t top. And I went to visit my friend in federal prison before I caught the Bucknell game later on in the night. That is outstanding. Let’s lock in the official play from Ian Cameron. It is on the over again. He is over and over and over again liking the overs. He likes the over 149 in this matchup.
Jeff Nadu:
They’ve been good to me. They better be good to me tonight, these overs.
TJ Rives:
All right. Let’s see if that is the case. Let’s go back to the Southern Conference again on our slate. Ian Cameron looked at this one and said, “Hey, I like it as well with the Citadel and Wofford.” That is a large line. Wofford favored by 13. The total is 149 on the BetUS line. Once again, again, the play is Ian Cameron’s. Again, do we sense this could be an over, what you got, Ian?
Ian Cameron:
You’re a genius, TJ. Congratulations. Absolutely. You’re smart as a whip right now.
TJ Rives:
That and I’m looking at the official sheet that says what’s coming, but never mind that. That’s inside baseball. What do you like here?
Ian Cameron:
No doubt. This is a lot like the … Now last night, I cashed in over with Iona and Monmouth and the Metro Atlantic. And I was stunned with that number was where it was, because series history shows that those were two teams that are offensively capable to play fast. And here in this matchup, you’ve got low 140s. And you’ve got in recent meetings 148. You’ve seen Wofford score 93-76 in a recent meeting. And more than anything, the styles mesh here, in my opinion.
Ian Cameron:
Look, Citadel started to transform again into that over team. Early in the year, they were kind of trending under. Now we see now the last few games that are five and one to the over the last six games that kind of seen their totals drop. We’ve seen 140s. We even saw 132 recently in a game against Greensboro for Citadel. Now, Greensboro is the slowest pace team in the SoCon. So, that’s the big reason for that. But still, you’re seeing that those totals for the Citadel were dropping with all of those unders that they were playing early in the season.
Ian Cameron:
Now you’re starting to see the pendulum swing. And now the value is turning back to the over again in their games. And when you look at Wofford to me, they’re very simple. They’ll dance to the style of music that their partner will bring to the table essentially.
Ian Cameron:
Look at the Western Carolina game, fast-paced team, game goes over. Sanford, fast-paced team, game goes over the total. Greensborough, 112 in that game, a very slow paced, methodical, half court team that game stays under. You look at VMI, that team can play with pace and shoot and definitely better offensively than defensively. That game went over the total with 153. I mean, Kennesaw State plays at a decent pace. That game went over the total as well for Wofford.
Ian Cameron:
So, Wofford is just one of those teams where if they’re going to play a team that likes to get up and down the floor, can shoot the basketball like Citadel can, those are the games for Wofford where they don’t mind trading tempo a little bit and going at faster pace and that those games have definitely trended over the total. I think this one does as well. So, I like over. I believe it’s 148, 9 here Citadel and Wofford.
TJ Rives:
Okay. Jeff, any thought from you back in the Southern Conference here with Wofford?
Jeff Nadu:
Yeah. I think Citadel, I’m kind of done with them. I mean, I made a little money on them before the season, but I don’t quite know every game who’s playing for them. I saw Tyler Moffe went out the other night. They’re not real deep, so I don’t really have any interest. I will say as well. As they said the other day, Mercer didn’t quite get there with it but it seems like the Citadel are back to their old tricks defensively. I mean, they can’t guard anybody. I like it. I don’t have any issue with an over. I don’t think Citadel though is as good offensively as maybe they’ve been in years past. But that could flip at any time.
Jeff Nadu:
Wofford is really good offensive team. I would look more to the Wofford team total just because I don’t know who’s playing for the Citadel from game to game. But for the way they run up and down, they should be able to get to high 60s, low 70s, I’d hope. But yeah, I like Wofford’s team, too. This team’s enrolling recently in offense.
TJ Rives:
Okay. Again, Ian Cameron has the official play here and it is on the over once again for Wofford and the Citadel. I guess he is also counting as well that Wofford may pile on the points get to 80, get to 85 something like that to help it get that. You mentioned about the defense. I’m just reminded of the famous Bobby Nightline, “Son, you can’t guard a telephone pole.” That seems to be a theme all throughout modern college basketball for sure. Defense is almost a lost art.
TJ Rives:
We did talk about LSU and some teams can guard, but it’s rare that teams are guarding or guarding it much of a clip. Couple of have reminders, by the way, we are nearing … Are we there? I don’t think we’re there yet. A thousand subscribers on the YouTube channel for those that are watching us Monday through Friday at 1:00 Eastern Time. Make sure to subscribe, ding the bell.
Jeff Nadu:
Hit the like button.
TJ Rives:
Hit the notification. Hit the like button. More people see us and find us, the more of you that are hitting the like button and they’re hitting the bell and all of that, keep it up. Keep spreading the word through social media. You see us producing great content, even after we’re done on social media with the pics and with the play. So, spread the word there.
TJ Rives:
And let’s see if they’re on our toes. If they’re on their toes at BetUS. We have a promotional offer for you as well, because if you follow us socially, you’ve got a chance, look at that. Right on it again on a Wednesday. You got a chance to win an NCAA basketball official team jersey, a $300 value. You see what to do right there on your screen if you’re watching us. Follow the BetUS official Twitter page and the BetUS College Basketball Twitter page. And retweet this post about winning the team jersey and you’ve got a chance to win.
TJ Rives:
And every 10 retweets, we’re going to give another jersey away. How about that from your favorite teams and from BetUS where the game begins. That’s outstanding. We’re on the promo two days in a row. We have a streak officially on that.
TJ Rives:
On to the schedule, and the next game is a big 10 game, guys, for Rutgers and Iowa, intriguing game because Rutgers has been so good at home already with an upset of Purdue earlier this year. Now playing Iowa, hosting them getting three and a half the total at 150 and a half. Right back to Ian Cameron. You have a side play in this one. Everybody perk up. This is not a total play. What’s the side and why?
Ian Cameron:
Well, the side is Rutgers and on their home floor getting points, I’m always interested. And I’m even more interested when it’s going against a team like Iowa. Do not trust on the road in a hostile environment. How many times do we have to see this. They got drilled by Iowa State on the road earlier this year. Couldn’t get the job done at Wisconsin earlier this year. How many times do we have to see Iowa flake out on the road before we start buying into them lay endpoints on the road here. And all Rutgers is a tough-minded team.
Ian Cameron:
Rutgers this year already nine in one on the home court and that’s nothing new or different under Steve Pikiell. This team’s just been magnificent on their home floor. They play their best basketball there. And as dogs this year at home, they’ve already beaten Michigan as a dog on their home floor outright and Purdue as a dog on their home floor outright. So, Rutgers plays their best at home. Ron Harper Jr, Geo Baker, veteran players to get up for a game of this magnitude. Iowa still defensively goes in and out of spurts.
Ian Cameron:
I think in this game, they’re going to have trouble containing a Cliff Omoruyi here and this matchup here. I mean, the Knights are definitely a team that can get after it. They’re physical. That can frustrate and sometimes really wear down a team like Iowa. Iowa sometimes struggles in that area quite a bit. They’re more of a finesse team. I think they’re going to be up against it here against Rutgers. I think Rutgers can win the game and will win the game outright. The fact I can get three and a half just a bonus. Scarlet Knights plus three and a half. The RAC attack I think will be on tonight.
TJ Rives:
Okay. It’s normally known as the Rutgers Athletic Center. The RAC, but it’s now the Jersey Mike’s arena now. Sobs for everybody.
Ian Cameron:
Corporate sponsorships [crosstalk 00:28:20].
TJ Rives:
Yes, indeed. We’ll make a little coin if you can. Jeff Nadu, a thought on this big 10 game here and Rutgers getting points at home.
Jeff Nadu:
I mean, not for nothing. I mean, that is absolutely fraudulent. I mean, you’re in a state that has the best hoagies on Earth and Jersey Mike’s is the one you picked a sponsor your arena. Nice.
TJ Rives:
It’s all about who writes the check, brother. It’s who writes the check.
Jeff Nadu:
That’s like saying you live in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, and you’re going to go to Domino’s to get pizza. Come on, man. That’s wack.
Jeff Nadu:
Jersey Mike’s, I’m not going to say anything. But either way, yeah. Look, I was who they are. They’re the same team every year. They’re great offensively. Murray brothers are terrific. The 8,000 McCaffery’s. I mean, they’re awesome. But defensively, they don’t defend. It’s pretty simple. Yeah, Rutgers is always in these kind of spots. I have no interest away from the RAC and Rutgers but yeah, at home they’re really good. They beat Michigan, obviously beat Purdue. As we know, Purdue is rolling. Take care of business against bad teams. Yeah, if you’re getting them as a dog, I’d kind of have some interest.
Jeff Nadu:
I kind of think that the correlation here though is if you like Rutgers, maybe over as well. I mean, Rutgers are going to have to find a way. They should be able to score here. I mean, we know Iowa will as well. Last year’s game, Rutgers struggled really both games, but the one game that they scored was at home. It was 77-75. Both teams kind of did what they wanted offensively. So, I kind of like that, but I agree with Ian. I think Rutgers were to look here. And they always just get up for games in that building.
TJ Rives:
All right. Ian Cameron’s got the official play again. It’s on the Scarlet Knights that already has a huge upset over Purdue on the half court shot earlier this year. So, they’re getting three and a half at home this one 8:30 Eastern Time in Piscataway, and we’ll see how that one goes.
TJ Rives:
We will have time for a few Q&A questions here coming up after the final game on our slate. We’ll get to some Q&A and I want to ask the guys about Mick Cronin, the UCLA coach finally speaking up about having no crowds at his games, when everything else in Los Angeles sports wise has crowds. We’re going to talk about that in a moment.
TJ Rives:
There’s a tease, one more game to go on our slate. It’s back to the big east and the nighttime doubleheader game for the big east coverage that will be later on in the evening. Xavier and DePaul is when national cable television Fox Sports one. DePaul getting seven and a half at home. Xavier laying the seven and a half whichever you prefer. The total at 151. Ian Cameron, we are back to you. One more official play for you on a Wednesday, what do you like?
Ian Cameron:
I find it funny that Tony Stubblefield here, the head coach of DePaul, ripped his team’s defense after the loss at Marquette. Now, they did win their last game against Seton Hall. They won at 96-92. They gave up 92 points in that game still. And he said we were a lot better defensively. What? Huh? You were better defensively. You still gave up 92 points in that game. I mean, to me, if you’re betting a DePaul game under at this point. You either think there’s extreme value in the number or you’re betting a bunch of what ifs. What if this team plays some defense? [crosstalk 00:31:39]
TJ Rives:
Can I give you option number three? You have no clue because you have no clue come into play here that might have something to [inaudible 00:31:46].
Ian Cameron:
To me, what if they get some stops? What if their pace slows down? I don’t think any of those things are going to happen. They gave up 92 points in the team and a game we’re following the Marquette game the coach says our defense was terrible. We need to fix it. Now, they won because they scored a bunch against Seton Hall, but their defense wasn’t much better. This is just an automatic over team for me right now.
Ian Cameron:
I’ve been on a bunch of DePaul overs lately. Even on this show, I believe one of those, I think the DePaul-St. John’s game was on this show. I took over the total, flew over the number. I was on it with Villanova. I was on it with Marquette. I was on it with Seton Hall. I’m just riding it right now. Steve doesn’t play like a defense. They still play extremely fast. They pushed the ball up and down the floor. And I think they’ll score some points here.
Ian Cameron:
And Xavier believe it or not under Travis Steele this year has really picked up their pace offensively. They’re playing faster than they have in years past. And they’ve been pretty good offensively lately. Other than Villanova, that game but Villanova obviously tremendous team. Good defensively. But they put up an 87 spot at Butler in a recent win. Hung 80 points against Creighton in their last game at home. They’ll do some serious damage here against this DePaul team. But with DePaul being at home, they did score 96 against a very good Seton Hall team. They’ll get their points as well.
Ian Cameron:
Both of these teams pace wise, their numbers are pretty solid. You look at where they rank. You’re going to see that here in this game with pace on both sides. You’ve got Xavier entering this game at 59th in the country adjusted tempo, 50th for DePaul, 151 to me is more than reasonable. I think it goes over the total.
TJ Rives:
All right. Compelling case there for lots of offense. Big man, any other thoughts here, Xavier land a big number at DePaul.
Jeff Nadu:
Yeah. I think the [inaudible 00:33:28] is I mean is Xavier allows nothing in transition and I don’t think they’re going to allow anything here either. I think DePaul sucks. I mean, they always do this. I mean they always get run out in the big east. That’s just how they are.
Jeff Nadu:
I kind of had this one double digit win for Xavier. Didn’t play to the last season, but in 2020, they won both by double digits. I don’t see any reason why they don’t roll here. I don’t love Xavier. It’s kind of just a lean or a guess. I mean, I was asked, so I’ll give my opinion. But I don’t think DePaul’s any good on either quite honestly in this game. So, yeah, I would lean Xavier. I think they went by double digits.
TJ Rives:
Xavier off of a win over Creighton by seven comes into this game as a seven and a half point favorite. But Ian Cameron is on the total and on the over yet again. Do I see is that four overplays for you? You like in the overs on a Wednesday night?
Ian Cameron:
Yeah. Five.
TJ Rives:
Five over totals. That’s right. Five on those and one side until [crosstalk 00:34:25] overjoyed. All right. Got a lot of them there tonight.
Jeff Nadu:
That’s lots of scoring tonight.
TJ Rives:
We’re going to want lots of points, lots of scoring. That’s for sure. Time for some Q&A. A couple of viewers that are watching here for this. Let’s see. Stephen says, “You guys are the best handicapping show anywhere.” Stop kissing up Stephen. Unless of course you want the play. He wants to play. He says, “Can you give me opinion on Drake Bradley and the over?” He’s wondering should he take the over in Drake against Bradley in the Missouri Valley tonight. Neither one of you have an opinion on that?
Jeff Nadu:
I don’t know. Real quick. I’ll just say this. Drake is, I mean, for team it was at one point I think 17 and 0 last year against the spread or something crazy. Drake is three and 12 this year against the number. And they just don’t cover. Bradley is always tough. Brian Wardle, good coach, always a tough blue collar team that defend that eye level. They just haven’t gotten real healthy this year. They had a couple of guys out.
Jeff Nadu:
But look I’m not ever really run into play overs with Bradley. They really make it work defensively. They’re not going to get much in the half court up. If I can get three possessions, I believe, Bradley. I think the game is close. Drake doesn’t cover.
TJ Rives:
Ian Cameron?
Ian Cameron:
I’m with Bradley as well. And then, in terms of the total, I’m really neutral on this one to be honest with you and I do want to point out the last meeting was 67-61 and Bradley did win. I mean, last year we know how good Drake was. Drake won by nine. And then the other game, Bradley actually beat Drake as an eight point underdog. So, I’m in the camp of, yeah, I would look at the underdog here before laying the points. That’s for sure.
TJ Rives:
Okay. Kyle is watching on the BetUS live Wednesday show says, “Any thought on Valpo-Northern Iowa. The line seems weird. Is it a trap game for Northern Iowa?” He likes Valpo shooting the threes. Guys, any thoughts here on that game also in the valley.
Jeff Nadu:
Huge situational edge for Valpo. There’s no question. It’s not the greatest of spots whatsoever for Northern Iowa. Now granted, Northern Iowa has been playing very well here in the Missouri Valley. But it’s all about whether Valpo is making their very three-point reliant. Will the shots fall? Big question mark. But if they do, they’re very much live in this game because it’s not a great situation for Northern Iowa. They’ve got some big games on deck and conference play. It definitely feels like Valpo situationally would be the way to go for me. I would lean to the home dog.
TJ Rives:
All right. Fair enough on that one. I’m just double checking there. What is the line on that one that he’s talking about [crosstalk 00:36:51] Iowa?
Jeff Nadu:
Four and a half.
TJ Rives:
Four and a half on the BetUS line as the road team there into Valpo. Okay. So, I teased it. Let’s pay it off. Mick Cronin finally spoke up. Big man, we’ve been talking about this on the show, where he’s watching everything around him have fans at games yet at Pauley Pavilion, they had no fans for either their last two games including the Oregon loss. They now get ready to go play Utah on Thursday night in Pac-12 action.
TJ Rives:
And I asked him about is it a disadvantage right now that you’re having to play games with no fans when other Pac-12 opponents, you go there and they have fans. And he spoke up and said, “Yeah, I don’t understand how the Rams can have 80,000 fans at a game and we can’t have anybody at Pauley Pavilion.”
TJ Rives:
By the way, my Tampa Bay Lightning, I’m here in the Tampa Bay area, played a hockey game against the LA Kings at that newly named renamed crypto.com arena, what was the Staples Center. It was packed last night. It had 19,000 people. Yet in the same county, they’ve had no fans at UCLA games, boys. And good for Mick Cronin that he finally spoke up about it. What are we doing? What are your thoughts?
Jeff Nadu:
The business why Mick is a guy that he’s a great coach, but he’s also a great ambassador to basketball. I’ve always been a Mick Cronin fan really since the time I started liking basketball.
Jeff Nadu:
Look, he just continues to display just the … It doesn’t make any sense. The hypocrisy of it is one of the dumbest things in 10 years when we look back at the stupidity this country has exerted over the last three years, well, even 10 years actually. We’ll have to look back and say, wow, it’s not even just a coronavirus. Everything about society is just backwards.
Jeff Nadu:
And it’s the same thought of as you just alluded to, you can go to a packed arena and watch football. There’ll be no problem. But at a basketball game, which has far less people involved on the court. Again, do a mandate. If you want to have people vaccinated that can come in, just at least do that. What the hell on earth does it make sense we can’t have anybody? Why are we doing this? What’s the point?
TJ Rives:
And Ian, we were saying this before and I think you may have gotten in on it but maybe not, even if you have half capacity, that is better than no one there. Please pick up on it with your thoughts.
Jeff Nadu:
Why are we doing this? Has there been a reason why UCLA is doing this? [crosstalk 00:39:13]
TJ Rives:
It is up to them and they are looking at it with the health officials and saying we don’t want anybody there. And it’s their decision. It’s UCLA’s decision and their own basketball coach is saying, “I’m not in favor of this if other people are going to have fans at the games.” Bobano, weigh in real quick?
Ian Cameron:
Yeah. You can down the road for me in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. I mean, the Leafs and Raptors games at home, they go from full capacity to nil in just over the Christmas break and it’s still that way. And to me you can fit 25, 50% capacity. You can make it work. If you want to make sure everyone’s can show their passport or whatever, do that. But you can have some fans here. And to me with this UCLA nonsense, it’s ridiculous because we just see Kings games, we see Rams games, we see Clippers and Lakers games. Fans are in the building. You know, UCLA is right there [crosstalk 00:39:59].
TJ Rives:
It’s important, in the same county under the same jurisdiction. And so, it’s obviously a UCLA decision to do this.
Ian Cameron:
Yeah. It should be. But you know what, UCLA shouldn’t be allowed to rule on their own. This should be a city decision or a state decision or a county decision. If one venue in that county is not going to have fans, they all don’t. If one venue in that county is going to have fans, they all should have fans, or at least some capacity of fans at the games. That’s the way it should be. It should be ruled in the state and the county level. UCLA shouldn’t be making up their minds themselves, especially when they see the professional teams in that city with fans being allowed to the game.
TJ Rives:
All right. Let’s play it one step forward when they come back home, now that Cronin spoken out, do you think they’ll have some fans at a subsequent home game soon?
Jeff Nadu:
Can I ask a question real quick?
TJ Rives:
Yeah.
Jeff Nadu:
Why are we the only country on planet earth that has this system where we have a federal government and they make rules. And some rules we have to follow. But then in some states, the rules are completely … Like, why do we do this? I don’t get it. Especially for something like this. We have to have some sort of oversight. And again, I’ll call on the absolute mafia run NCAA to do something at uniform rules. It shouldn’t be allowed. It shouldn’t be allowed. It’s stupid.
TJ Rives:
And by the way, the Pac-12 is still allowing, okay, some schools can have fans, other schools, hey, it’s fine if they don’t want to have fans. You got to have some uniformity, competitive balance, that kind of thing. I think the Pac-12 could rule on this too and say to UCLA, you got to allow some people there. Even as we’ve just said and eliminated for a couple of minutes here, if you have to have a vaccination card, and even if it’s only half capacity, you got to allow some fans to be there. Let’s see what happens at the next UCLA home game. I’m curious about that.
TJ Rives:
One more game that we haven’t talked about before we get out of here. Kentucky, Texas A&M, very intriguing SEC game. Texas A&M has gotten off to a great start. It’s their home game. I know you don’t have an official play, guys, but any quick thoughts on Big Blue at A&M?
Ian Cameron:
I have none. I mean, Kentucky, I’m not stepping in front of Kentucky. They’re rolling. They played two really good games in a row. And A&M is on a good win streak, but you start to look at it. Missouri, Ole Miss, up and down. They have a good home win against Arkansas. But boy, I think Kentucky, it’s not a great spot though. Kentucky is coming off a perfect game at home against Tennessee. Do I want to lay seven in a spot like this? No. I don’t trust A&M enough, so it’s past for me.
TJ Rives:
Okay. Big man, Kentucky look devastating against Tennessee over the weekend. They are laying seven in the game. No official play, any thought?
Jeff Nadu:
Yeah. But I think the biggest kind of thing in college basketball is sometimes you can’t get into recency bias. So, Kentucky is really good, but it’s a real game. It’s a huge game in college nation. You got to love Texas. They just do whatever. They don’t worry about fans. We’re good.
TJ Rives:
Get them all in. Jerry Jones had almost 100,000 people at the Cowboys playoff game to your point on Sunday.
Jeff Nadu:
Yup. And as usual, there’re still states that think they know better even though they don’t. Yeah. A&M looks like a good one here. This is too high. I think a number is too high. I would take a shot with A&M and just say I think they’re going to come up and play well here. Look, you got to be able to rebound a little bit against Kentucky. Tshiebwe has been incredible on the … What a player he’s turned into. A&M, pretty solid offensive rebounding. I think they could stay in games. I kind of liked them getting seven here if I had to play.
TJ Rives:
Tshiebwe, by the way, in the long-storied history of Kentucky is on his way potentially to being the all-time single season rebounding king in Kentucky basketball history with the way that he is just devastating, especially on the offensive glass right now for Kentucky. Let’s see what happens in College Station at 1:30 Eastern Time tonight. Yeah, one more thought?
Ian Cameron:
One more thought before we sign off because I don’t have anything on Stony Brook Binghamton Cody apologize. Matt Wake Forest, I’d lean Wake Forest. I don’t know if it’s a good spot for them. I like Wake though. I’ve cashed in with Wake quite a bit. But I don’t know if I want to lay on with them tonight against Georgia Tech. Feels like a bit of a tricky spot there in that one.
Ian Cameron:
And I want to mention Louisville because you’re probably wondering, “Hey, it’s Ian Cameron on the show today. And Louisville is playing. Isn’t it Louisville day like it’s always been?” And it’s been working. You know it. Every time we went against Louisville, it’s worked. I have bet Boston College tonight plus eight, I have. I just didn’t make it and I don’t feel as strong about this because Boston College just isn’t very good.
Ian Cameron:
However, they are coming off a good road win against Clemson. They have been more competitive. They’ve been feisty. A lot of single digit losses lately for Boston College and Louisville is a mess. So, not an official play. But yes, I am still feeding Louisville-Boston College plus eight.
TJ Rives:
And it’s an ACC that saw Miami annihilate North Carolina last night. The Hurricanes obviously for real as well in South Florida about four hours to my southeast here in the Tampa Bay area. They look great. Florida State the win over Duke. Let’s see what happens as the ACC play continues along. We do know that we need to get out of here in a moment, but not before we show you our best bets.
TJ Rives:
And there’s a lot of them for me and Cameron. Let’s see if you will visually pick up on the theme from Ian. He is overjoyed with this card tonight. Lots of overs for him. And Rutgers is his lone side play on the night. And again, for the big man on campus, he’s got two different sides including LSU in that game with Alabama liking the road team and taking the points.
TJ Rives:
That will do it for Wednesday show. Big man, on campus, Jeff Nadu, Ian Cameron, thank you guys so much. Any final thoughts here before we’re done on a Wednesday, boys?
Jeff Nadu:
Thanks for watching.
Ian Cameron:
Yeah. And I just want to say I’m only on Wednesdays, but you should be watching this show every single day. I mean, Jeff, Kyle, Matt, everybody’s doing a terrific job on this show. It’s great analysis every single day. Hit the like button. Hit the subscribe button. If you know anyone that likes college basketball and certainly interested in betting it, tell them about this show. We got to keep getting the viewers up to increase.
TJ Rives:
Yeah. You see it right there on the side of the screen, like us, share it out. We do what we can and we work in everything. Whether it’s visits to the federal prison, whether it’s political talk, we work at all the food. We work it all in here on the BetUS College Basketball Show. Big man, thank you. Ian Cameron, thank you. And we thank you for watching here on the BetUS College Basketball Show.
