Posted on
3/24/2008 3:29:49 PM
NCAA Basketball Betting Action – NIT Picks - Virginia Tech Hosts UAB
By Eric Williams
The UAB Blazers, (23-10 SU, 16-11-1 ATS, 18-10 O/U), will travel to Blacksburg, Virginia tonight to compete in the second round of the 2008 National Invitation Tournament when they take on the Virginia Tech Hokies, (20-13 SU, 19-11 ATS, 17-12-1 O/U), in a contest that will be televised nationally on ESPN.
UAB, a No. 5 seed in the event, enters the NIT contest with a record of 23-10 overall record following their hard-fought 80-77 victory at fourth-seeded VCU last Wednesday.
The Blazers finished with a 12-4 mark in Conference USA play and comes into tonight’s game having won 15 of their last 19 games and seven of their last ten.
Virginia Tech is the No. 1 seed in UAB's region and is coming off a 94-62 victory over eighth-seeded Morgan State on March 19.
The Blazers average 74.3 points per game on 45.8 percent shooting while allowing 67.1 points per game on 41.3 percent shooting.
The Hokies are averaging 70.0 points per contest on 43.9 percent shooting while allowing 64.7 points per game on 40.6 percent shooting.
Junior swingman Robert Vaden leads the Blazers in scoring, averaging 21.4 points a game, while the Hokies are led by 6-6 junior swingman A.D. Vassalo who averages16.9 points per contest.
Here is a look at tonight’s key trends followed by my analysis and NCAAB Betting Free Picks.
The Blazers are 5-1 ATS in their last six games following a S.U. win.
The Blazers are 5-2 ATS in their last seven non-conference games.
The Blazers are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games vs. a team with a winning percentage above .600.
The Hokies are 7-0 ATS in their last seven games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
The Hokies are 5-0 ATS in their last five games following a S.U. win.
The Hokies are 5-0 ATS in their last five games vs. a team with a winning percentage above .600.
The Over is 6-0 in Blazers last six games vs. a team with a winning percentage above .600.
The Over is 5-0 in Blazers last five road games vs. a team with a home winning percentage of greater than .600.
The Under is 4-1-1 in Hokies last six games vs. a team with a winning percentage above .600.
The Over is 7-2-1 in Hokies last ten home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Analysis: While Virginia Tech will have the advantage of playing at home tonight, I don’t think they are nine points better than the Blazers. As a matter of fact, I think UAB is actually capable of pulling off the outright win. Take the UAB Blazers to cover the spread easily with an excellent shot at winning outright.
NCAAB Free Picks: UAB +8 Points/Over 135 ½ Total Points
09:00 PM EST NCAAB Odds
UAB +8 -110
Virginia Tech -8 -110
Over 135½ -110
Under 135½ -110
NIT - Second Round
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