The Monday of conference tournament week is always a tough one to find value bets, because there just aren’t that many games on the schedule. There are a few leagues playing, though, as the Horizon League and West Coast Conference will hold their semifinals in prime spots on the schedule.
Things will really get rolling tomorrow, but until then, we’ll do our best to build off what’s been a strong past two days. Here are my best plays for March 7.
TOTTENHAM, -150
Spurs doesn’t lose to teams that it shouldn’t. It hasn’t dropped points to anyone in the bottom half of the table at home this season, and it’s facing an Everton side that has lost six of its past seven Premier League matchups. Spurs shouldn’t have too many problems winning here.
PURDUE FORT WAYNE, +105
The Mastodons run into equally hot Northern Kentucky, but I think Purdue Fort Wayne has the higher ceiling and should be able to get the result in this matchup. Honestly, I think this is the real Horizon League championship, as I think both teams are better than either Cleveland State or Wright State. This should be a game that comes down to the final possession, so backing the underdog makes a lot of sense.
GEORGIA STATE, -165
Speaking of hot, Georgia State comes into the Sun Belt championship as winners of 11 of its past 12 games, including two wins over tonight’s opponent Louisiana. The Ragin’ Cajuns have made a nice run of their own, winning six of their past seven, but the lone exception was Georgia State. The Panthers got to the final last year, only to watch Appalachian State steal their bid to the NCAAs. Georgia State’s not letting another opportunity slip away.
NORTH DAKOTA STATE, -115
Max Abmas might get his points against the Bison, but it’s the way that the points come for the Golden Eagles’ star that has me leaning to NDSU here. Abmas scored 39 points in two meetings with North Dakota State, but he had to shoot 15-for-49 in order to get those points. The fact that NDSU can hold the Summit League’s best scorer to shooting just over 30% says that the Bison can and should win this game.
SANTA CLARA, +165
Everyone who follows the West Coast Conference is already anticipating Round 3 of Gonzaga-Saint Mary’s, but Santa Clara might have something to say about that. The Broncos showed that they can handle the Gaels’ defense earlier this year when they beat them 77-72, and they’ve got the added pressure of needing to win to have any chance at the NCAAs alive. It’s probably not going to happen for the Broncos as far as giving the WCC four teams in the field, because they have to beat Gonzaga too, but Herb Sendek’s team can absolutely beat Saint Mary’s.
