The first week of February is behind us, and if not for a complete San Diego State collapse in the final minute against Wyoming (the Aztecs were up 15 with possession with 59 seconds to go and won by nine), these situational spots would've put us all in the green last week.
Either way, it's time to totally lock in for some college basketball betting as we take a look at some situational spots to consider for this week. So, here's college basketball predictions and picks, including seven NCAAB situational spots to target.
- Last Week: 3-3 (1-1 Quick Hitters) | 6-4 Overall (2-3 Quick Hitters)
Houston vs. Utah
There's not much of a travel situation in this one for Houston, as the Coogs were just in Provo taking on BYU.
It's actually the Utes that are traveling back from a game against Kansas State in Manhattan over the weekend.
Utah has proven to be largely non-competitive in the Big 12 this season, losing six games by 12 or more points.
It's equipped with one of the least efficient defenses in the conference and should provide very little resistance against the Houston offense.
Kingston Flemings should have a monster game, so expect him to create off the dribble and get to the rim regularly. He also has five or more assists in 12 straight contests.
Expect Houston to win this game, possibly by 20+ points.
Pick: Houston -16.5
Austin Peay vs. Queens
Austin Peay is the most athletic team in the ASUN. It followed up its critical home win against Lipscomb last week with a dominant 29-point win over North Alabama on Saturday.
The Govs sit at 11-1 in league play and are poised to run away with the conference race if they earn a victory on Wednesday.
Queens is the worst team in the conference when it comes to defending without fouling, and Austin Peay excels at playing the inside-outside game, which results in open 3-pointers or paint looks/trips to the line.
Queens has feasted on lower-echelon teams in ASUN play this season, but Austin Peay surely isn't one, meaning the Royals' defense could get shredded in this outing.
I would expect Zyree Collins and Collin Parker to have big scoring days for Austin Peay, and I could see the pressure that the Governors like to apply being a problem for the Royals.
I'll look to back Austin Peay as a short moneyline 'dog.
Pick: Austin Peay ML
Middle Tennessee vs. Kennesaw State
I don’t think the books have adjusted this total enough given the schematics of the matchup.
Middle Tennessee and Kennesaw State played a 68-67 contest in mid-December in a game that saw the Blue Raiders reject 11 Owl shots while also winning the pace war.
The Owls have also seen leading scorer Simeon Cottle go out with injury, and key reserve Ramone Seals has also been out of the fold for several games in a row.
The Owls play fast, but they're not very efficient on offense, and without Cottle, they're going to have to find creative ways to score the ball. This is going to require a more methodical approach on offense, resulting in what I believe will be a score similar to the first meeting.
We could get a bit of an inflated total, as Middle Tennessee's last two games were played in the 80s, the result of overtime and a heavy foul count. In conference games involving Middle Tennessee that didn't go to overtime, the average final score had 131 total points.
I'll seek the under.
Pick: Under Total Points
Quinnipiac vs. Siena
The Bobcats have been playing pretty good basketball in recent weeks, as they've won their last three games. Also, they should be fully locked in for this one after a late-game scare on Saturday against lowly Niagara.
Quinnipiac led by as many as 17 points in the first half, while holding Niagara to 24 points before intermission. However, it trailed late and needed a late surge to eek out a one-point victory.
That's embarrassing to say the least, but the Bobcats have had success against Siena over the last couple of seasons, and I think they matchup well with the Saints
Quinnipiac has the best interior defense in the MAAC and will force Siena to shoot from the outside. Siena has an offensive 3-point attempt rate of 329th nationally, and the Saints are one of the worst 3-point shooting teams in the country.
If the Saints can't accumulate paint touches, the offense could look a bit jerky. That will favor Quinnipiac, allowing it to get out in transition and run the floor with Asim Jones, Jaden Zimmerman and Amarri Monroe.
I think this game comes down to the wire in a game Quinnipiac can absolutely win outright, so I'll seek to grab the Bobcats catching five or so.
Pick: Quinnipiac ATS
Northwestern vs. Nebraska
Nebraska is in a massive sandwich spot as it hosts Purdue this Tuesday, plays Northwestern on Saturday and then goes to Iowa City to take on the Hawkeyes next Tuesday.
The Huskers have proven time and time again that their run in the Big Ten is no fluke. They're very talented, well coached and can shoot the ball well. However, it's hard to ignore such a spot, and this is one I'll look to capitalize on with Northwestern.
The Wildcats have shown an ability to be feisty this season, despite a 2-11 record in league play. Northwestern lost against Michigan State by 10 on the road, Illinois by 11 at home, UCLA by seven on the road and Iowa by six points last Sunday.
The Wildcats protect the ball well, and if they can keep Nebraska off the offensive glass and the charity stripe — along with knocking down a few jumpers — this game could be closer than expected.
Pick: Northwestern ATS
NCAAB Situational Quick-Hitters
Virginia Tech vs. Clemson Under Projected 138
Wednesday, Feb. 11 | 7 p.m. ET
Clemson is coming back from a cross country road trip, which saw the Tigers hold Stanford and California to under 65 points.
I would expect a solid defensive showing in this one.
The Tigers are in a tough spot, with a trip to Cameron Indoor on deck to take on Duke. That and the travel have me worried about how this group will perform offensively against the Hokies.
The pace will be slow and Clemson can muck games up better than just about anyone in ACC play. Thus, I'll seek to bet the under — if the total comes out anywhere close to 138.
Winthrop (Projected -20) @ Gardner-Webb
Thursday, Feb. 12 | 7 p.m. ET
The Eagles are one of the best teams in the Big South Conference, winning 10 games in a row in league play.
In early January these two squared off, and the Eagles were down by 20 at one point in the first half before outscoring Gardner-Webb in the second half, 51-27, to earn a hard-fought win.
The Runnin’ Bulldogs are one of the worst teams in America, having just one win over a Division I team this season.
Unsurprisingly, I'll look to fade them in this spot, especially given how the first meeting went.
