Lesson learned on Washington: just stay away from the Huskies when they’re on the road. Every so often, Washington puts together a complete horror show away from home, because it’s just not a very good team. As such, I won’t be betting the Huskies again for the rest of this season after they’ve burned me three times.
At the other end of the spectrum, we have Saint Peter’s, which continues to come through for me. The Peacocks have been an incredibly reliable bet for me, and I might take a flier on them to win the Metro Atlantic, especially if Iona stubs its toe again and the Peacocks don’t have to see the Gaels in the final.
Finding your teams each season is something I highly recommend, because when you can analyze a team properly, you’ve got a good shot to win. Today doesn’t have a lot of those options, but I’ll do what I can today. Here are my best plays for February 7.
KANSAS, -115
Bill Self has remembered that David McCormack exists, and the Jayhawks’ defense is much better for it. Kansas hammered Baylor at home over the weekend, and I don’t see Texas hanging with the Jayhawks at home given their complete lack of offense. The Longhorns are not a strong attacking team; they get the job done on defense. Kansas might have to win a bit of a rock fight here, but the Jayhawks have no problem playing that way.
MONTANA, -135
What did we learn when Eastern Washington went to Missoula? You do not fade teams in Dahlberg Arena. The Grizzlies are 11-0 at home this season and are going to come out in a foul mood after going to Pocatello and losing by 23 to Idaho State. Southern Utah has been middling at best on the road and isn’t likely to end Montana’s home dominance. I’d lay the 2.5 with the Grizzlies if you want to play this on the spread.
FLORIDA A&M, -130
Prairie View has just one home win on the season, and I don’t expect them to get No. 2 here as Florida A&M looks to bounce back from awful shooting against Texas Southern. The Rattlers should find things a little more manageable against the Panthers’ weak defense, and given Prairie View’s weakness on the boards, Florida A&M has a good chance to grab a victory here.
DUKE/VIRGINIA TECH/RICHMOND PARLAY, -170
I’ll probably play all of these teams on the spread (or at least the two ACC teams; I don’t completely trust Richmond), but I wanted to get this in here because I think Duke and Virginia Tech are both facing very manageable matchups. The Blue Devils have looked like the class of the ACC this year, while Virginia just doesn’t appear to be all that strong compared to past seasons. Pittsburgh has been very questionable on the road, and Virginia Tech cannot afford to botch this one. Similar logic applies with Richmond, which might need to run the table to earn an at-large bid.
HORNETS, +130
Dipping into the NBA seldom goes well for me, but I’m out of ideas otherwise. Charlotte’s 3-point shooting means the Hornets are always a threat to steal one at home, and the Raptors might need a wake-up call for this road trip. I’ll take the gamble here.
