The College basketball season is well and truly underway, with most of the premiere teams having played between 3 and 5 games so far. Buoyed by their excellent young trio of stars, the 4-0 Duke Blue Devils have stuck out as the team to watch so far. Many of the other big sides like Kansas, North Carolina and Virginia are all also undefeated, helped in part by relatively easy early schedules. In what is hopefully the first of many college basketball previews, we’ll provide our 4 best spread bets for tomorrow’s action.
NC State Wolfpack
The Wolfpack enter this one at an impressive 4-0 after 4 dominant victories so far. Guard Torin Dorn has very much led the way this season, averaging an efficient 19.5 points and 8 boards per game as he shoots 50% from 3. Shooting Guard C.J. Bryce has provided capable support, averaging an impressive 12.8 points and 7 rebounds in his first season with the Wolfpack. The versatile Wolfpack defence has also been on full display this season, allowing 55 points or less in 3 of their 4 contests so far.
St Peter’s Peacocks
After an opening night win, the Peacocks make the difficult trip to NC State off back-to-back losses. Power Forward Samuel Idowu has had a strong start to his senior campaign, putting up 25 points and 9 boards in a loss to Bryant last time out. Senior Point Guard Davauhnte Turner has also provided a scoring punch so far, putting up scoring efforts of 23 and 25 points in his first two outings. It’s been the defence that has largely struggled for NC State so far, allowing at least 71 points in all 3 outings this season.
Prediction: NC State -21.5
I think NC State are far and away the superior team in this one. They have a significant talent edge and I expect their strong defence to hold St Peter’s here. Buoyed by a strong home crowd, I expect a blowout here.
Connecticut Huskies
The Huskies enter this one with a 3-1 record after a disappointing loss to Iowa last time out. Senior Guard Jalen Adams has provided very consistent offence this season, scoring 16 or more points in each game so far. This has been balanced nicely by Guard Alterique Gilbert, who has put up just under 14 points per game on 45% shooting from 3. With a shortage of bigs on this team, reserve Forward Eric Cobb stepped up big time in their win over Syracuse, adding 13 points and 13 hard-fought rebounds.
Cornell Big Red
Andy Bernard’s alma mater travel to Connecticut with a middling 3-2 record so far. Senior Guard Matt Morgan has been excellent this season, dropping an impressive 34 points and 7 rebounds in their win on Sunday. This has been supported by strong play from reserve Forward Jimmy Boeheim, who’s averaged 16.5 points and 4.8 rebounds so far. Travelling to Connecticut is never easy, but a firing Morgan can give Cornell a chance here.
Prediction: Under 153
I’m expecting UConn’s defence to be too much for Cornell here. There are too many non-shooters on this Cornell team that can get exposed against a strong UConn side. 153 points gives us plenty of room for the under here.
Santa Clara Broncos
Santa Clara enter this one at a precarious 0-3 after losing each of their games by double digits so far. The offence has been largely at fault so far, shooting under 50% in each of these 3 contests. Sophomore Forward Josip Vrankic showed some promise last time out against Washington, dropping an efficient 21 points on 9-14 shooting. The good news for this Santa Clara side is that they always compete, having lost each of their 3 games so far by less than the 17-point spread they face here.
Minnesota Golden Gophers
The Golden Gophers enter this one at an impressive 3-0 and currently sit in first place in the Big Ten conference. Senior Guard Dupree McBrayer has led the team offensively so far, averaging 12.7 points and shooting 54% from the field. He’s been capably supported by versatile swingman Amir Coffey, who’s averaging a shade under 15 points and 4 assists himself. It’s been strong play from the Gophers defence that has led the way in recent games, holding their last 2 opponents under 70 points.
Prediction: Santa Clara +17
Buoyed by what is sure to be a rocking home crowd, I expect Santa Clara to at least keep this one competitive. Their offence showed some promise against Washington and they can build on that display here. I expect this one to finish in the 8-12 points range.
Texas A&M Aggies
After a convincing 15-point win to start the season, Texas A&M enter this one off 3 straight losses. Swingman Savion Flagg has looked very strong to start the campaign, averaging 15.5 points and 8.8 boards so far. He’s been balanced out nicely by Point Guard TJ Starks, who’s averaging an efficient 13 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4 assists of his own. In what is a very late tip-off, it will be interesting to see how the Aggies young side responds.
Washington Huskies
The 3-1 Huskies make the trip to Texas currently at equal first place in the Pac-12. Sophomore Guard Jaylen Nowell has been very effective this season and poured in 32 points in the win over Santa Clara last time out. Senior Forward Noah Dickerson provides a much-needed interior presence, scoring in double figures in each game so far and averaging 6 rebounds on the campaign.
Prediction: Washington -3
With the game being played in a neutral location, I think Washington has the definite talent edge here. I expect both Nowell and Dickerson to perform strongly in this one and lead the Huskies to a relatively comfortable win here.