Posted on
1/8/2008 4:52:50 PM
NCAA Basketball Wagering – Bradley at Southern Illinois
By Eric Williams
The Bradley Braves, (7-8 SU, 4-8-1 ATS, 6-6-1 O/U) enter tonight’s contest riding a five-game winning streak that has dropped them under .500 for the season.
The Southern Illinois Salukis, (6-8 SU, 5-9 ATS, 4-9-1 O/U) have lost their last two contests and look nothing like the powerful defensive team that reached the Sweet Sixteen just one season ago after losing many of their top rotation players to graduation.
The Braves are averaging 72.5 points per game on 43.2 percent shooting from the field while allowing 71.9 points per game to their opponents on 45.5 percent shooting.
Southern Illinois has struggled offensively, averaging 60.6 points per game while making just 40.2 percent of their shots and are allowing 61.1 points per game defensively on 44.1 percent shooting.
Led by senior guard Daniel Ruffin, (14.2 ppg) Bradley has three players averaging double figures in scoring.
Southern Illinois also has three double-digit scorers, led by senior forward Randal Falker, (12.4 ppg).
Here is a look at tonight’s Key Trends, followed by my NCAA Basketball Betting Free Pick.
Key Braves Trends
The Braves are 0-4 ATS in their last four games following a S.U. loss.
The Braves are 0-5 ATS in their last five games overall.
The Braves are 0-4 ATS in their last four games following a ATS loss.
Key Salukis Trends
The Salukis are 4-1 ATS in their last five home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
The Salukis are 5-2 ATS in their last seven home games.
The Salukis are 2-5 ATS in their last seven Tuesday games.
Key Totals Trends
The Over is 5-1-1 in Braves last seven Tuesday games.
The Over is 4-1-1 in Braves last six road games vs. a team with a home winning percentage of greater than .600.
The Over is 5-1 in Salukis last six games after scoring less than 50 points in their previous game.
The Under is 12-4-1 in Salukis last 17 overall.
Key Head-to-Head Trends
The Under is 4-0 in the last four meetings.
The Under is 5-0 in the last five meetings in Southern Illinois.
The Home team is 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings.
Analysis: Why the Southern Illinois Salukis are 10.5-point favorites is beyond me, but I certainly don’t think they are going to win tonight’s matchup by 11 points, not with their struggling offense. While the Braves don’t inspire a lot of confidence themselves, I say take Bradley to cover the spread just barely in a losing effort.
NCAAB Free Picks: Bradley +10.5 Points/Under 129.5 Total Points
07:00 PM EST NCAA Basketball Odds
Bradley +10½ -110
So Illinois -10½ -110
Over 129½ -110
Under 129½ -110
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