Wunderdog
CBB Plays
Game: Rider at Old Dominion (7:00 PM Eastern)
Pick: 2 units on Rider +225 (moneyline) (risk 2 to win 4.5)
This game kicks off the College Basketball Invitational - a new single elimination tournament to be held on the home courts of the higher seeds. This is Rider's first tournament game since the NIT in 1998. They lost to Siena in the MAAC Tournament but they are no slouches. They had a excellent season, tying for the best record in the MAAC. They bring a 23-10 record into this one (12-8 on the road) and have the MAAC Player of the Year in Jason Thompson. ODU is just 17-15 overall in contrast. They have just one double-digit scorer on the team and no one that can compaer to Thompson. We think this is anyone's game and as such we'll take the dog for the nice moneyline payout.
Game: N C Asheville at Ohio State (7:00 PM Eastern)
Pick: 3 units on N C Asheville +14 (-110) (risk 3 to win 2.7)
At 7'7" Kenny George gets all the attention on this Asheville team, but this team has some players. He is however a difference maker. NC Ashville lost only to Eastern Tennessee State, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Winthrop with him playing. He had 14 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks against NC, and 7-13 and four against Tenn., as well as 16-13 and three vs. SC, a game they won. They played at two of the top teams in the country in Tennessee and North Carolina and held their own, dropping both by less than this pointspread. Ohio State got off quickly at 12-3, but really slid and finished just 7-10. Disappointed on being a bubble team that was left out in the cold means getting up for UNC Ashville might be quite a chore, so we will ride the dog here.
Game: Coppin State vs. Mount St. Mary's (7:30 PM Eastern)
Pick: 4 units on Coppin State +7 (-110) (risk 4 to win 3.6)
Mount St. Mary's surprised everyone with three easy wins to earn the right to open the NCAA Tournament against Coppin State. They were 1-4 against these teams in the regular season. All three teams they beat shot as poorly as they have all season, and much worse than the Mountaineer's allowed all season. Good defense? Bad offense? Probably a combination of the two. Coppin State opened the season 2-19 against D-1A teams and was arguably was the worst team in the country. The only blemish since then was to regular-season conference champion Morgan State by four points on the road. They finished the season superb at 12-1, and it was the biggest turnaround in NCAA history! They still have a losing record, but consider the fact that Oakland and Michigan entered the play-in game at 12-18 in 2005 and won. Florida A&M at 14-16 won the play-in game in 2004. NC Ashville at 14-16 won the play-in game in 2003. Siena at 16-18 won the play-in game in 2002. The record may say 20 losses, but this is a confident, completely different team that has lost just once, and by less points than this in their last 13. We would not be shocked if they win here, so we will grab the points.
Game: Houston at Nevada (9:00 PM Eastern)
Pick: 2 units on Houston +180 (moneyline) (risk 2 to win 3.6)
Houston has beaten Nevada six of the seven times they have met. We like their chances at the upset win here to make it seven of eight. Houston has the offense to keep with the Wolfpack and should be in this game till the end. The Cougars are 12-3 the past three seasons vs. teams like Nevada that don't pressure much (those that force under 15 turnovers per game). Over the past two seasons they are 17-6 following an ATS loss. Under Tom Penders, this team is 15-5 off a loss to a conference rival. They are also 8-1 after allowing 75+ points in two straight games under Penders. Finally, Penders is 11-1 SU in games coached followinga loss by 3 or fewer points. We'll back Houston for the upset win.
Game: Akron at Florida State (9:00 PM Eastern)
Pick: 3 units on Akron +7.5 (-110) (risk 3 to win 2.7)
The Zips had NCAA Tourney aspirations, but fell to Kent State in the Conference Final. Kent State was simply the better team, besting the Zips three straight times on the season. The Zips can score and hit FTs. When playing on other teams' courts this season they were a strong 7-4 ATS. Florida State lost four of their last eight on their home floor which is more losses than they sustained at home since '04-'05 when they went home early. Truth be told, this is a lousy State team. They lost both Swann and Breeden, which took away some scoring and depth that helped lead to a 7-10 finish on the season. The Zips are plenty capable of winning here and should hang close inside the number.
Game: Rhode Island at Creighton (10:00 PM Eastern)
Pick: 2 units on Rhode Island +250 (moneyline) (risk 2 to win 5)
Rhode Island is a 21-win team that cracked the Top 25 this season. They finished poorly but well enough to land a bid to the NIT. They get a Creighton team that have a 1-4 mark in home NIT games. The Rams can score with the best of them, averaging 80.8 ppg on 47% shooting. If they are on, there is no reason they can't win this game. They are 9-1 this season in non-conference games and 6-2 in tournament games the past two seasons. Rhode Island for the upset win.
