Posted on
4/4/2008 1:28:49 PM
NCAA Basketball Betting – CBI Championship Series Final - Bradley at Tulsa
By Eric Williams
Say all the negative things you want about the inaugural College Basketball Invitational Tournament, (CBI), several teams and their athletic administrators are happy about the creation of the third college basketball postseason tournament, including the Bradley Braves, (21-16 SU, 20-14-1 ATS, 23-11-1 O/U), and Tulsa Golden Hurricane, (24-14 SU, 19-13 ATS, 18-13-1 O/U), the two participant’s in the tournament’s first-ever championship series matchup.
Bradley and Tulsa will settle their best-of-three series on Tulsa’s home floor at the Reynolds Center where they have posted a stellar 17-2 record this season and have won 21 consecutive non-conference games.
Tulsa won Game One 73-68 at home before losing to Bradley 83-74 on the Braves’ home floor in two contests that couldn’t have been more different.
The Braves say they will be more aggressive in their final game of the season than the last time they played on the Tulsa’a home floor.
"The one thing that coach told us was to be more aggressive," said Braves senior guard Jeremy Crouch, who scored 16 points in game two.
"We want to be the aggressor, both offensively and defensively," said Bradley senior guard Daniel Ruffin. "We were taking it to them (Wednesday) to wear them down. Over the course of a game, it's going to take its toll."
Tulsa head coach Doug Wojcik hopes his team’s fans come out in full force to give the Golden Hurricane a bit of home-court advantage.
"We need it," the third-year Tulsa coach said. "Bradley played to their fans big time last night and played with a sense of urgency. They have terrific seniors that refused to lose their last game there and we have to feed off that same kind of energy from our fans."
Even with the originality of a three-game series, each team’s season has come down to one final contest.
"One game, winner-take-all," BU coach Jim Les said. "We like it."
The Braves have won four of their last five in the BetUS Sportsbook and have covered the spread in four straight games coming into this matchup while the Golden Hurricane has won four of their last five but has failed to cover the spread in either championship contest.
Here is a look at tonight’s Key Trends, followed by my NCAAB Betting Picks.
Key Bradley Trends
The Braves are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 non-conference games.
The Braves are 10-1 ATS in their last 11 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
The Braves are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 Friday games.
Key Tulsa Trends
The Golden Hurricane are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a S.U. loss.
The Golden Hurricane are 9-1 ATS in their last 10 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
The Golden Hurricane are 9-1 ATS in their last 10 home games.
Key Totals Trends
The Over is 8-0 in Braves last 8 games following a S.U. win.
The Over is 7-0 in Braves last 7 road games.
The Over is 4-1 in Golden Hurricane last 5 non-conference games.
Analysis: The Bradley Braves have covered the spread in each of the two championship games as I predicted earlier his week in the BetUS Locker Room – and will mange the ‘hat trick’ tonight by beating the Golden Hurricane on their home floor to win the inaugural CBI championship. Take the Brave in what figures to be one of those ‘last possession’ types of contests that keep viewers on the edge of their respective seats.
NCAAB Free Picks: Bradley +3½ Points/Over 142½ Total Points
08:00 PM EST NCAAB Odds
Bradley +3½ -110
Tulsa -3½ -110
Over 142½ -110
Under 142½ -110
CBI Tournament Championship - Game 3
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