Per usual, bettors have an enticing menu on Wednesday in college hoops with games galore on tap. I’ve got my eyes on a pair of generous underdogs who have thrived in that role this season.
Seton Hall (16-6 straight up, 13-9 against the spread) is a 7.5-point road underdog tonight at Villanova. The Pirates are 4-2 SU and 5-1 ATS in six road assignments this season, while Villanova (16-5 SU, 14-7 ATS) is 10-2 SU and 7-5 ATS in 12 home games.
Seton Hall has been perfect as an underdog, going 7-0 ATS with four outright wins. As a ‘dog, Shaheen Holloway’s team has outright wins at Kansas St., at Providence, at Marquette and vs. NC St. on a neutral court at the Maui Classic.
The Pirates have lost by more than seven points only twice this year, falling 64-56 at home vs. Villanova and 77-66 at home vs. Butler. The Hall couldn’t buy a bucket vs. Villanova on Dec. 23, shooting at a 3-of-13 clip (23.1%) from 3-point range and 18-of-50 (36.0%) from the field. Kevin Willard’s squad made 43.5 percent of their 3’s that night and 54.5 percent of their FGAs.
The Wildcats have lost outright twice in Big East home games, including a 76-72 loss vs. Creighton as 5.5-point home ‘chalk.’
PREDICTION: Seton Hall +7.5, risking 1.1 units to win one unit.
As of early Wednesday afternoon, most books had Alabama (14-7 SU, 9-12 ATS) listed as an 8.5-point home favorite tonight vs. Texas A&M. The Aggies come to Coleman Coliseum in first place in the SEC standings with a 7-1 record.
Nate Oats’s team is mired in a 3-4 SU and 2-5 ATS slump after getting mauled 100-77 at Florida on Sunday. That leaves ‘Bama in bounce-back mode here, while Texas A&M (17-4 straight up, 14-7 against the spread) comes to town on a four-game winning streak.
The Aggies are 4-2 SU and 5-1 ATS in six road assignments this year, while Alabama is 7-3 SU and 4-6 ATS in 10 home games.
Since mid-November, Texas A&M is 15-2 SU and 12-5 ATS with its only outright defeats coming in OT vs. SMU on a neutral court in Arlington and in double overtime at Tennessee. The Aggies are on a 7-0 ATS tear, and they’re 7-1 both SU and ATS in SEC play.
Perhaps most important, Bucky McMillan’s team has cashed tickets at a 5-0 ATS clip with four outright victories in its five games from the underdog role.
PREDICTION: Let’s risk 1.65 units to win 1.5 on Texas A&M +8.5. Let’s also risk 0.5 units to win 1.65 units on the Aggies to win outright for a +330 payout (Westgate SuperBook).