I didn’t have enough plays for Tuesday, but Monday is exactly what I like to see. One of my main strategies for college basketball is to really get to know a couple leagues, and one of my leagues has always been the Big Sky.
It’s been 13 years since I covered the Big Sky, but it’s never left my heart. Some of my favorite basketball memories came in those gyms, and it’s proof that lower-level games can still offer a lot of value.
We’ve got a solid slate available today, so it’s back after it. Here are my plays for January 24.
College Basketball
High Point at South Carolina Upstate
High Point’s game is built on two things. First, the Panthers are deadeye mid-range shooters. Second, they make their living on getting to the line and cashing in when they get there.
South Carolina Upstate doesn’t prevent either of those things. The Spartans send teams to the line like nobody’s business, and they aren’t very good at defending inside the arc. Unless the refs call things loosely in Spartanburg, High Point should put up a lot of points. The Panthers have gotten to 80 in five straight games, and I like their chances to make it six.
Pick: High Point TTO 79.5 (-110)
Samford at Furman
You need to know about Samford. The Bulldogs have ridden the 3-point shooting of Achor Achor and the coaching of Bucky McMillan to 17 straight wins. Samford has only lost to Purdue and Virginia Commonwealth, and now gets its shot at Furman, last year’s champion in the Southern Conference.
The last time most of the country saw Furman, the Paladins were putting the finishing touches on a stunning upset of Virginia in the NCAA Tournament. This year’s Furman squad is still finding its way, but it has now won four straight and seems to be returning to form.
But this seems like Samford’s time to really announce itself as the team to beat in the SoCon. They’re catching three points in Greenville, and I’ll gladly take them.
Pick: Samford +3 (-110)
Kansas State at Iowa State
I really don’t think Kansas State is ready for this challenge. Iowa State really makes you make quick decisions with the basketball, and the Wildcats really don’t do that well.
K-State leads the Big 12 in turnovers, while Iowa State leads the Big 12 in steals. The Cyclones score more points off steals than anyone, and K-State’s likely going to get turned over repeatedly. Throw in the Hilton Coliseum crowd, and this looks like one-way traffic in Ames.
Pick: Iowa State -8 (-110)
Jacksonville State at Middle Tennessee
Middle Tennessee just can’t score. The Blue Raiders have lost eight in a row to Division I competition, and they’ve scored 65 or less in all of those games.
That shouldn’t change against Jacksonville State. The Gamecocks play a slow pace and play defense pretty well. They don’t give up a lot of looks at the hoop, and that’s the one thing Middle Tennesse does well on offense. Expect a lot of bricks.
Pick: Middle Tennessee TTU 61.5 (-110)
Army at Boston University
Compared to Army, Middle Tennessee might as well be Alabama. There is literally nothing that the Black Knights do well with the basketball. They’re the worst free throw shooting team in the country and the worst mid-range shooting team in the country.
With Boston University also lacking on the offense and neither school in much of a hurry to score, this one looks like a strong under play.
Pick: Under 122 (-110)
Central Arkansas at Queens
At the other end of the spectrum, Queens is the place to be when you want excitement. The Royals cannot stop anyone, as they haven’t allowed less than 75 points since Thanksgiving.
Central Arkansas plays at a supremely fast clip as well and gives up points with ease (the Bears have allowed 85 or more nine times in 19 games against Division I opponents). That should mean plenty of baskets on both sides. Yes, the total is high, but it’s worth the risk.
Pick: Over 163 (-110)