Nights like Thursday are exactly why I put so much time and effort into tracking my conferences, as my knowledge of the Big Sky came through for me again with a cash on the parlay at +490. Ever since I started covering Idaho State basketball in 2009, the Big Sky has been my league, even though I no longer live in that part of the world. I loved covering those nine schools (Southern Utah and Idaho weren’t in the league yet), and thanks to streaming, it’s easier than ever for me to stay on top of them.
There’s no Big Sky action today, unfortunately, but there’s plenty of college football, college basketball and soccer for Friday, so let’s build off what we did yesterday. Here are my best plays for December 3.
UNION BERLIN ML, +300
My Berlin boys are pretty darn tough to beat at the An der Alten Försterei. That doesn’t translate to the Iron Fortress (it’s actually the Old Forest), but it really should, because the Iron Ones have lost just once in their past 23 home matches in the Bundesliga, and that was against league kingpin Bayern Munich. RB Leipzig have been middling at best to date this season, and Union has an excellent shot to take the Red Bulls down at home. If you want to be conservative, play double chance at -115, but I think the moneyline is worth the risk.
NOTRE DAME-BOSTON COLLEGE U133.5, -110
This total seems a tad high, given how well the Eagles play defense. Only Rhode Island and Utah have topped 65 against Boston College, which means you’re probably going to need BC to get hot to trigger the over. That’s possible given how poorly Notre Dame defends the 3, but the Eagles like a very slow pace and the Irish don’t go much faster, so the under seems like the move here.
WESTERN KENTUCKY-UTSA O72.5, -110
This one, on the other hand, feels like it’s last team with the ball wins. Bailey Zappe continues to put up remarkable numbers, and UTSA’s defense looks like it’s breaking under the weight of expectations. The Roadrunners gave up 46 points the first time these teams played, and this one is indoors on the turf in San Antonio. That should mean points aplenty in this matchup.
UTAH CFB -2.5, -110
There’s losing a game, and then there’s getting pushed around the way that Oregon did in Salt Lake City. I just find it hard to believe that the Ducks have turned things around that thoroughly after getting manhandled at the line of scrimmage by the Utes last time. Do I believe this game will be closer? Absolutely; I think Oregon keeps this to one possession. But that means the Ducks losing by a touchdown instead of 31, which still results in a Utah cover.
HAWKS, -1.5, -110
There are two factors at play here. First, the Sixers have struggled away from south Philly, losing five of their past seven straight up on the road and going 3-3-1 ATS away from home. Second, both Atlanta and Philadelphia played Wednesday and both had to travel for this game. That could mean dead legs, which means missed shots and rebounds. Atlanta rebounds the ball well and Philadelphia does not. I want the Hawks here.
