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(20) Notre Dame (18-4, 9-10 ATS) at (17) UConn (18-5, 9-9-1 ATS)
Two of the hottest teams in the Big East square off when the Fighting Irish head to Storrs to take on Connecticut.
Notre Dame held off Marquette 86-83 Saturday for its fifth straight victory, all in Big East play. The Fighting Irish (8-2, 5-5 ATS Big East) failed to cash as a 4?-point favorite, falling to 1-3 ATS in their last four starts, but they did avenge a 92-66 January loss to the Golden Eagles. Marquette had more field goals (33-26), including a dozen 3-pointers to Notre Dame?s 10, but the Irish hit 24 of 31 free throws, while the Eagles were awarded just eight, making five.
Connecticut stepped out of conference Saturday and beat Georgia Tech 80-68 as an 8?-point chalk, posting its seventh straight win (5-1-1 ATS). The Huskies (8-3, 7-3-1 ATS Big East) killed the Yellow Jackets on the glass (43-21) and they continue to get it done with their seventh-ranked defense, having kept their last five opponents in the 60s while holding them to 37.5 percent shooting.
Notre Dame is on a 5-2 ATS run in this series, including a 73-67 home win last month, barely covering as a 5?-point favorite. However, UConn whipped the Irish 88-74 at home last year laying 7? points. The home team is 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings.
The Fighting Irish, who have outscored opponents by 11 points per game (88-77) during their five-game run, are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 Wednesday starts and have additional positive ATS runs of 5-1 after a non-cover, 5-2 against teams with a winning record and 28-13-1 on the highway (2-3 this year in true road games). On the negative side, Notre Dame is 1-5 ATS in its last six coming off a SU win.
The Huskies carry positive ATS trends of 4-0-1 following a SU win and 4-1-1 at home. But they are 2-5 ATS in their last seven against teams with a winning record, 3-10-1 ATS in their last 14 after a spread-cover and 1-4 ATS in their last five on Wednesday.
For Notre Dame, the over is on runs of 8-0 overall, 4-0 on the road and 12-2 in Big East play. Conversely, for Connecticut, the under is on streaks of 5-0 overall, 4-1 at home and 10-4-1 on Wednesday. Finally, these teams have also stayed low in the last two in this series.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
Maryland (16-8, 9-10 ATS) at (2) Duke (21-1, 13-7-1 ATS)
The Terrapins aim to avenge last month?s home loss to Duke when they travel to Durham to take on the soaring Blue Devils in an Atlantic Coast Conference battle.
Maryland rolled past North Carolina State 84-70 on Saturday as an 8?-point home favorite, improving to 4-0 SU and ATS since losing to Duke. The Terrapins (6-3 SU and ATS in the ACC) shot a scorching 56.9 percent from the field (33 of 58), the fifth straight game they?ve been over 50 percent.
Duke beat Boston College 90-80 Saturday for its 11th straight victory, but fell well short of covering as an 18-point chalk to halt a 7-0-1 ATS streak. The Blue Devils (9-0, 7-1-1 ATS in the ACC) are third in the nation at 86.0 ppg, but they?ve eclipsed that number in each of their last five games, scoring 90 or more three times and winning by an average of nearly 13 ppg.
Duke erased a nine-point halftime deficit and beat Maryland 93-84 last month in College Park as a six-point favorite. Maryland won and covered both meetings last year, including an 85-77 road upset catching seven points last February. These teams are dead-even in the last 10 meetings, going 5-5 SU and ATS, with the straight-up winner a perfect 10-0 ATS.
The Terrapins are on ATS tears of 36-15 on Wednesday, 5-0 on the road, 5-0 against teams with a winning home record, 4-0 in ACC play and 6-1 coming off a SU win.
Duke is also on several positive ATS runs, including 7-0-1 against teams with a winning percentage above .600 and 7-3-1 at home. However, they are just 3-9 ATS in their last 12 Wednesday games.
The over is 5-1 in Maryland?s last six starts and 7-0 in Duke?s last seven contests. In addition, for the Terrapins, the over is 6-1 on the highway, 5-1 in the ACC and 4-0 against teams with a winning percentage above .600, but the under is 21-5 in their last 26 Wednesday games. For Duke, the over is 4-0 in Durham and 6-0 against teams with a winning percentage over .600. Finally, these teams have cleared the posted price in three of the last four in this series, including last month?s matchup (total 149?).
ATS ADVANTAGE: DUKE and OVER
(15) Wisconsin (19-4, 9-11 ATS) at (13) Indiana (20-3, 10-9-1 ATS)
Wisconsin, which had its three-game winning streak snapped over the weekend, looks to get back on track in Bloomington in a Big Ten matchup against the Hoosiers, who have won three straight since a road loss at the Badgers.
Wisconsin stumbled at home to Purdue 72-67 Saturday as a 10-point favorite for its second straight ATS setback and second loss to the Boilermakers this season. The Badgers (9-2, 4-7 ATS Big Ten) are shooting 45.6 percent for the season but hit a paltry 32.7 percent (17 of 52) against the Boilermakers. Also, their second-ranked scoring defense gave up 17 points more than its season average (54.9 ppg) as Purdue became the first team in the last 15 games to break 70 on Wisconsin.
Indiana is coming off Sunday?s 59-53 win at Ohio State catching 2? points for its second straight win and cover. The Hoosiers are just behind Big Ten leader Purdue with a 9-1 mark, but are just 5-4-1 ATS in league play despite outscoring league opponents by an average of eight ppg (70-62).
Wisconsin stifled Indiana 62-49 two weeks ago as a four-point home favorite, ending the Hoosiers? 2-0 SU and ATS run in the series. Last year, Indiana won 71-66 at home giving 2? points, but the Hoosiers are just 4-6 ATS in the last 10 meetings.
The Badgers sport positive pointspread streaks of 4-1 on Wednesdays, 4-1-1 after a SU loss and 5-2 on the highway. But they are 2-5 ATS in their last seven overall, all in Big Ten play.
The Hoosiers are just 4-13 ATS in their last 17 Wednesday contests, but they are 4-1-1 ATS in their last six after a SU win and 5-2 ATS in their last seven at home against teams with a winning road record.
Wisconsin has topped the total in its last two games, but the under is still 11-4 in its last 15 overall, 8-3 in its last 11 on the highway and 13-5 in its last 18 in Big Ten play. For Indiana, the under is on runs of 12-2-1 against teams with a winning percentage above .600, 4-1 against teams with a winning mark overall and 5-2 coming off a SU victory. The under is also 4-1 the last five in this series, with last month?s battle falling far short of the 128?-point posted price.
ATS ADVANTAGE: INDIANA and UNDER
Arkansas (17-5, 8-9 ATS) at (4) Tennessee (21-2, 11-8 ATS)
Arkansas takes a four-game SU and ATS winning streak into Knoxville for an SEC battle against one of the best teams in the country.
The Razorbacks topped Mississippi 75-69 at home Saturday, barely covering the five-point spread in gaining its eighth win in the last 10 games (5-4 ATS in lined contests). The Razorbacks (6-2, 4-4 ATS in the SEC) have outshot their opponents 43 percent to 35.5 percent during their four-game winning streak.
Tennessee got its fifth straight victory on Saturday, edging LSU 47-45 thanks to a JaJuan Smith steal and layup with 11 seconds remaining. However, the Vols never came close to covering as an 11?-point road chalk, which snapped a 4-0 ATS streak. Tennessee, which owns the best record in the SEC at 8-1 (6-3 ATS), has actually been outshot 46.2 percent to 45.0 percent in the last five games.
Tennessee is on 6-2 SU and ATS run versus Arkansas, winning last year?s only meeting 83-72 as a 4?-point road pup. The underdog is on a 5-0 ATS run in this rivalry, and the road team has cashed five straight times.
The Razorbacks carry into this one negative ATS trends of 22-45-2 on the road (1-3 this year), 7-19-1 on Wednesday and 1-5 ATS versus teams with a winning home record.
The Volunteers are unbeaten through 12 home contests, going 6-2 ATS in lined games. They?re also 4-1 ATS in their last five when facing teams with a winning road record. However, Bruce Pearl?s squad has failed to cash in five of its last six Wednesday outings.
The under is 7-2 in Arkansas? last nine Wednesday starts, 4-1 in its last five coming off a SU win and 5-2 in its last seven in SEC play. However, the over is on runs of 24-9 for Arkansas against teams with a winning home record, 4-1 for Arkansas on the road and 6-2 for Tennessee in Knoxville.
ATS ADVANTAGE: TENNESSEE
NBA
San Antonio (33-17, 23-26-1 ATS) at Cleveland (29-22, 23-27 ATS)
The Spurs conclude their season-long nine-game road trip tonight at the Quicken Loans Arena, where they will look to avenge last home month?s loss to LeBron James and the Cavaliers.
After losing the first two games on its grueling trip, San Antonio has won five of the last six (4-2 ATS), including Monday?s 93-88 victory at Toronto as a one-point road chalk. For the season, the Spurs are now 13-12 on the highway, but just 10-15 ATS.
Cleveland bounced back from Sunday?s ugly 113-83 home loss to the Nuggets with Monday?s 118-111 upset win at Orlando as a 9?-point road underdog. The Cavs have alternated SU wins and losses in their last five games, going 2-3 ATS.
Cleveland went into San Antonio as a 7?-point underdog on Jan. 17 and came away with a 90-88 upset victory, ending a four-game losing streak to the Spurs. The Cavs are also 5-3 ATS in the last eight series meetings overall (all as an underdog) and 5-1 ATS in the last six battles in Cleveland. Also, despite last month?s result, the host has still cashed in eight of the last 11 clashes.
The Spurs have cashed in six of their last seven games on Wednesday. However, they?re mired in ATS funks of 3-10 following a SU victory and 1-4 when playing on one day of rest.
Even including Sunday?s 30-point home loss to the Nuggets, the Cavs are still on a 10-3 roll at Quicken Loans Arena over the last two months, but just 5-8 ATS. For the season, Cleveland is just 8-15 ATS in its own building. Also, it is just 4-12 ATS in its last 16 on Wednesday and 0-4 ATS in its last four following a SU win.
The under is 6-1 in the last seven series meetings, including 3-0 in Cleveland. The under is also on runs of 22-8 overall for San Antonio, 13-4 for San Antonio on the road, 7-1 for Cleveland against the Southwest Division and 13-3-1 for Cleveland against the Western Conference.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
Denver (32-19, 27-24 ATS) at Orlando (32-21, 32-20-1 ATS)
The streaking Nuggets conclude their three-game, four-day Eastern Conference road trip at Orlando, which is looking to continue the home team?s dominance in this rivalry.
Denver needed overtime last night at Miami to run its winning streak to three in a row, topping the Heat 114-113, but failing to cash as a 5 ?-point road chalk. Not only are the Nuggets riding a three-game streak, but they?ve won six of seven and 10 of 14, going 8-3 ATS in the last 11. Also, George Karl?s club, which started the year 7-13 on the road, has won four straight on the highway (3-1 ATS).
The Magic have dropped consecutive home games to the Lakers on Friday (117-113 a one-point chalk) and Cavaliers on Monday (118-111 as a 9?-point favorite). Orlando has followed up a 7-1 run (5-2-1 ATS) by going 1-3 SU and ATS in its last four, all at home.
The home team is on a 10-0 SU and ATS run in this rivalry and is 11-1 SU and ATS in the last 12. That includes Denver?s 113-103 rout as a 5?-point home chalk back on Jan. 11. However, the Nuggets are 0-7 ATS in their last seven visits to Orlando, losing each of the last five by nine points or more.
Although they?ve dominated Denver on their own floor over the years, the Magic have not enjoyed much of a home-court advantage this season, going 13-11 SU and 12-11-1 ATS at Amway Arena. The straight-up winner is 23-0-1 ATS in those 24 contests.
Orlando is on ATS streaks of 10-4-1 on Wednesdays and 6-2 against the Northwest Division.
Denver is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 against Southeast Division foes and 39-18 in its last 57 against the Eastern Conference. On the downside, though, the Nuggets are 9-21 ATS in their last 30 on Wednesday and 4-12 ATS in their last 16 against teams with a winning percentage greater than .600.
The over is 5-1 in Denver?s last six overall and 5-1 in Orlando?s last six. However, the total has alternated in the last six series meetings, with last month?s 113-103 contest barely staying under the 218-point total.
ATS ADVANTAGE: ORLANDO
Phoenix (36-15, 22-27-2 ATS) at Golden State (31-20, 22-29 ATS)
The new-look Suns escape Phoenix for the first time this month when they battle the Warriors in a Pacific Division clash between teams playing well on the floor but struggling to cover pointspreads.
Phoenix completed a 4-2 homestand with Sunday?s 108-107 victory over the Wizards. However, the Suns never threatened to cover as an 11-point chalk, dropping to 0-4-1 ATS in their last five, a slump that comes on the heels of a 7-1 ATS tear.
Golden State has won four of its last five, including three of four on its current five-game homestand that ends tonight. In their two most recent outings, the Warriors scored three-point wins over the Kings (105-102 on Saturday) and Wizards (120-117 on Monday), but failed to cover as big favorites in both contests.
Golden State is 6-2 SU in its last eight overall (5-1 at home), but 4-10 ATS in its last 14, including 1-7 ATS at home.
In the only previous meeting this season, the Warriors rolled to a 129-114 victory as a 4?-point home underdog. Golden State is 5-1 ATS in the last six series clashes (3-3 SU), including 4-0 ATS at home (2-2 SU), all as an underdog. Finally, the host has cashed in six of the last seven head-to-head encounters.
The Suns, who haven?t played on the road since late January, are 4-1 SU and ATS in their last five on the highway. Also, the straight-up winner is 15-0-1 ATS in the team?s last 16 roadies.
For the season, Golden State is 16-9 SU at Oracle Arena, but 9-16 ATS.
Phoenix is mired in ATS slumps of 1-7 when playing on two days? rest, 0-4-1 on Wednesdays and 0-4 against the Western Conference. Meanwhile, Golden State is 1-4 ATS in its last five on Wednesdays, 1-4 ATS in its last five on one day of rest and 1-4 ATS in its last five against the West.
This game features the NBA?s two highest-scoring teams, with the Warriors putting up 109.7 points per game (45.6 percent shooting), just a hair better than Phoenix?s 109.2 ppg (49.2 percent shooting). Golden State has reached triple digits in points in 43 of 51 games, including scoring at least 105 points in 15 straight games. Meanwhile, the Suns have hit the century mark in 41 of their 51 games, including 17 of the last 21 overall.
On the flip side, neither plays much defense, as the Warriors give up 107.3 ppg and the Suns yield 103.8 ppg.
The over is 7-3 in Phoenix?s last 10, including 3-1 on the road. Also, the over is 10-2 in the Warriors? last 12, including 5-2 at home. Finally, each of the last three meetings have soared over the posted price, and the over is 5-1 in the last five meetings at Golden State (3-0 in the last three).
ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER
