Category: NCAA-B

The VCU Rams are off to a great start in the 2016-2017 campaign and will try to keep it rolling tonight when they host the Princeton Tigers at the Stuart Siegel Center. The Rams are ranked second in the Atlantic 10, they are 5-1 overall and a perfect 2-0 in Richmond. The Commonwealth is ranked 25th in offensive field goal percentage, averaging 80.5 points per game at home, and holding teams to an average of 53.5. The Tigers enter tonight’s contest 2-2 on the season, are ranked 211th in offensive field goal percentage, averaging 70.3 points per game on the road, and holding teams to an average of 71.0. Princeton is a dismal 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games overall and I don’t see them covering tonight.

Tonight’s pick:

VCU Rams -5.5

The Wright State Raiders have been tough at home, posting a 4-1 record, and they should make it 5-1 today when they host the North Florida Ospreys. The Raiders are ranked 147th in offensive field goal percentage, averaging 79.5 points per game and allowing an average of 78.0 at the Nutter Center. The Osprey are 0-2 on the road, are ranked 286th in offensive field goal percentage, average 68.0 points per game on the road and hold opponents to an average of 80.5. The Raiders have the edge in every catagory but bench. Wright State should cover the 5.5.

Today’s pick:

Wright State Raiders -5.5

The 1-3 Sacramento State Hornets will post up today against the 3-0 San Francisco Dons on a neutral court in Cheney, Washington. Sacramento is ranked 338th in offensive field goal percentage, averaging 62.0 points per game and allowing an average of 84.7. On the flip side, the Dons are ranked 38th in offensive field goal percentage, averaging 78.7 points per game and giving up an average of 70.0. San Francisco has the edge in points per game, field goal percentage, free throw percentage, defense, rebounding and bench. The numbers favor the Dons in this one.

Today’s pick:

San Francisco Dons -4.5

The 0-1 Illinois State Redbirds will have their home opener tonight when they host the 1-1 IUPU-Fort Wayne Mastodons in Normal, Illinois. In the Mastodons’ first two contests, they averaged 100 points and allowed an average of 76. In the Redbirds’ road loss to Murray State, they put up 70 points and gave up 73. The Mastodons are 37-15-2 ATS in their last 54 road games and like playing on Wednesdays, covering 10 of their last 12 games. I like the ‘Dons in this one, +6.5

Tonight’s pick:

IUPU-Fort Wayne Mastodons +6.5

The 1-0 Fairfield Stags will try to make it 2-0 when they travel to New Hampshire tonight to take on the 0-1 Dartmouth Big Green. In their win over Sacred Heart on Friday, the Stags scored 85 points, allowed 63 and are ranked 27th in offensive field goal percentage. On the flip side, the Big Green scored 61 points in their loss to the Rhode Island Rams, gave up 84 and are ranked 287th in offensive field goal percentage. Fairfield has the edge in points per game, field goals, defense, rebounds and turnovers. These two teams met once last year in a Fairfield 97-85 victory. I’m taking the road favorite, Stags -2.

Tonight’s pick:

Fairfield Stags -2

The 0-1 Niagara Purple Eagles will travel to Rhode Island today to take on the 0-1 Brown Bears. In Niagara’s first game against Buffalo, they put up 66 points and gave up 76. On the flip side, in their first game the Brown Bears scored 55 points against Cincinnati and gave up 84. Comparing offensive field goal percentages, the Brown Bears are ranked 246 while the Purple Eagles are ranked 173. The Western New Yorkers have the edge in points per game, field goal percentage, free throw percentage, defense and rebounding. I like the road dog Niagara, +6.

Today’s pick:

Niagara Purple Eagles +6

I have been riding Syracuse throughout this tournament and I’m not going to abandon them now. This is not the team the Tar Heels beat February 29th, 75-70. Boheim did his magic and got this team here when no one gave them a chance. These kids are playing with confidence and if the Q plays their A game on defense, which averages 65.8 against on a neutral site, they can cover the 9.5 and maybe even win it!

Tonight’s pick:

Syracuse Orange +9.5