Gamble College Sports

COLLEGE BASKETBALL — February 18

OLE MISS at KENTUCKY
(Gamble College Sports Line: Kentucky -21.5, Total 133) — Mississippi had no solutions whatsoever for Vandy the other night, allowing the ‘Dores to get out of the box with 71% shooting in the first half and no defense beyond the arc. There were positives for Ole Miss, but those came mostly in “garbage time” after Vandy had a 25-point halftime advantage. Kentucky, of course, likes to get out and step things up, and that is something that will wear out the Rebels, who’ll be thwarted by shot-blocking sensation Anthony Davis as well.

Ole Miss’ scoring is pretty balanced, but it hasn’t helped them that they have been without Dundrecous Nelson, the leading scorer, coming mostly off the bench, for the entire SEC schedule. A huge problem is the inability to shoot from the line (less than 60%). They’ll lose some ground that way in a matchup like this one. Kentucky’s now covered six in a row, with only one opponent reaching 60 during that time.

GAMBLE COLLEGE SPORTS PLAY: KENTUCKY -21.5 **

(All information is for news matter only; All games are graded on a scale of 1-4 stars. Lines are subject to change)

GAMBLE COLLEGE SPORTS - BASKETBALL — February 12

BOSTON COLLEGE at VIRGINIA TECH
(Gamble College Sports Line: Virginia Tech -12, Total 121) — Boston College has not been a very good shooting club, struggling to remain above 40% all season. This is what happens when you have a freshman-laden club. Lately this team has been losing, but slowing down the pace, staying within rather large imposts. And they don’t get a whole lot of respect here, even though Virginia Tech isn’t necessarily going anywhere, and shot just 36% in dropping a decision to BC on January 14.

This game represents a very interesting contrast in technical trends. While Virginia Tech has consistently under-achieved in ACC play, with just a 1-8 ATS record, Boston College has taken advantage of low expectations, ringing up an 8-2 ATS record in the conference and 11-5 ATS as an underdog.

GAMBLE COLLEGE SPORTS PLAY: BOSTON COLLEGE +12 **

(All information is for news matter only; All games are graded on a scale of 1-4 stars. Lines are subject to change)

GAMBLE COLLEGE SPORTS - BASKETBALL — February 7

PURDUE at OHIO STATE
(Line: Ohio State -14, Total 131) — The Boilermakers did a pretty good job of keeping Jared Sullinger off the boards in two meetings last year, as he had just 13 rebounds in the two meetings. Of course, that’s when Purdue had more muscle on the inside. Now that JuJuan Johnson isn’t around anymore, they’re going to have to collapse on Sullinger, and they just don’t have enough useful size to do it. This is particularly problematic when Robbie Hummel is you major inside presence, because the guy is having enough difficulty with his own offensive games, having hit just 25 of his last 81 shots. We’ve got to side with the Buckeyes, who spread the ball around extremely well and are a sizzling 9-2 ATS at Columbus.

GAMBLE COLLEGE SPORTS PLAY: OHIO STATE -14 *

(All information is for news matter only; All games are graded on a scale of 1-4 stars. Lines are subject to change)

COLLEGE BASKETBALL — February 4

USC at WASHINGTON
(Gamble College Sports Line: Washington -11, Total 123) — Yeah, USC is a lousy and undependable offensive team, which shoots just 40% on the season. And you can forget about them tearing up any team from beyond the arc (less than 30%). And there are no “easy” baskets left to be had with Aaron Fuller and DeWayne Dedmon (both over 50%) hobbled. But remember that this is one of those games that represents a contrast in styles, and Washington’s faster pace has often been upset by the Men of Troy, who seem dedicated to frustrating them. Over the last four meetings, the Huskies have shot 37%, 40%, 44% and 40% in this series, and they struggled to break 60 the last time they faced Kevin O’Neill’s “junk” defense. USC knew going into this season that they could only win by making things ugly, and that situation has simply become more pronounced. Note that U-Dub has played eight of its ten conference games under the total.

JAY’S PLAY: UNDER 123 **

(All information is for news matter only; All games are graded on a scale of 1-4 stars. Lines are subject to change)

GAMBLE COLLEGE SPORTS - BASKETBALL — February 1

COLORADO STATE at UNLV
(Line: UNLV -14.5, Total 146.5) — Spirits are extremely high around Fort Collins, as the Rams just registered their first home win over a ranked team (in this case, San Diego State) in the last eight years. Of course, certain things had to fall into place for them; namely, awful shooting on the part of the Aztecs (3-18 from arc, 31% overall) and huge marksmanship from the line (23 for 23!). The latter is not so much of a surprise, with the Rams among the top ten nationally at the charity stripe. Now, however, they move into a venue (the Thomas & Mack) where they won last year, and catch a UNLV squad that is not likely to get caught sleeping. Recent home results, where they have pasted California, TCU, Central Arkansas and New Mexico by a combined 106 points, indicated that these Rebels aren’t fooling around. And we’ll see if things get so easy from three-point land for CSU, with UNLV allowing just 32% at home.

JAY’S PLAY: UNLV -14.5 **

(All information is for news matter only; All games are graded on a scale of 1-4 stars. Lines are subject to change)