Welcome again to the primary version of Mid-Cash Insanity for the 2023-2024 basketball season. I apologize for being MIA for two-thirds of the faculty basketball season. Life stuff occurs and I wasn’t giving any winners anyway!
I’m glad to get again into the swing of issues, and I’ll have an version of this column written as soon as every week going ahead. Additionally, with Tremendous Bowl week upon us, I made a decision to hitch the enjoyable for the large recreation. (However clearly I’m speaking about UT Martin-Little Rock.)
Reminder, I’m a blogger who is much from knowledgeable handicapper, so take these picks with a grain of salt. Please wager duty whether or not you might be tailing or fading me. I’m right here to present you strong leisure on a Tuesday night time. It’s by no means enjoyable while you lose your hire cash betting on MAC basketball. So don’t do this!
Central Michigan @ Akron
Tip off: 7 p.m. EST
Broadcast: ESPN+
Unfold: Akron -14.5
Whole: 131.5
Central Michigan is without doubt one of the greatest tales in Mid-Main school basketball. Central Michigan was picked final within the league within the preseason ballot. Tony Barbee has turned this group round. The Chips are 8-2 in convention play this yr and are presently third within the convention standings.
They’re among the finest groups ATS within the nation. Central Michigan is 6-1 as an underdog in MAC play. Now they get their largest take a look at of the season touring to the category of the league, Akron.
Akron has the very best duo within the league with Enrique Freeman within the center (18.6 ppg, 12.9 rebounds), and wing Ali Ali who’s averaging 16.2 factors per recreation. Akron’s dimension and athleticism ought to give the Chippewas issues.
Central Michigan is extraordinarily gritty, and so they have confirmed doubters improper all yr. Central Michigan has gained eight out of their final 9.
Akron is coming off their largest win of the yr in opposition to Toledo on Friday.
I can see the Zips popping out sluggish to begin the sport on this one. I’m going to hop on the CMU Cinderella practice and belief it to maintain this one shut.
The choose: Central Michigan +14.5
UT Martin @ Little Rock
Tip off: 8 pm EST
Broadcast ESPN+
Unfold: UALR -2.5
Whole 162.5
This might be probably the most entertaining video games on the slate. Each groups can rating at will and play quick. Little Rock has an explosive again courtroom with Texas A&M switch KK Robinson and South Florida switch Jamir Chaplin, who common 16 factors per recreation apiece. UT Martin guard Jordan Sears (20.2 ppg) is electrical on the opposite facet.
Little Rock ranks sixtieth in offensive tempo whereas Tennessee Martin ranks within the prime 10. Each groups play with tempo and are horrible on protection. Based on KenPom, UT Martin ranks 273rd in defensive effectivity whereas Little Rock ranks 314th. Consequently, the full is ready at 162.5.
With the type these two groups play mixed with a aggressive recreation script, this recreation has a great probability to go over that complete. We’re to see transition threes, acrobatic dunks in transition, and nice offensive playmaking on either side. Benefit from the recreation and wager the over right here.
The choose: over 162.5
Dayton @ Saint Joseph’s
Tip off: 8 p.m. EST
Broadcast: CBS Sports activities Community
Unfold: Saint Joseph’s +2.5
Whole: 142.5
This recreation is a lure!! The sportsbooks are main you off a cliff.
It’s important to be good just like the pup within the video and don’t bounce off.
Dayton is a tank. They’re the highest group in our Different High 25 ballot for a motive. The Flyers have gained 14 of their final 15.
I believe they falter right here. St. Joe’s freshman middle Christ Essandoko may give DaRon Holmes II resistance on the block. Saint Joe’s has 5 totally different gamers who common greater than 10 factors per recreation. The Hawks are a well-balanced group. They’ve performed powerful in opposition to the elite expertise within the league. They beat Princeton within the non-conference and took Kentucky to extra time. They gained’t be intimidated and can take the house upset win right here.
The choose: Saint Joseph’s +2.5
Nevada @ Utah State
Tip off 9 p.m. EST
Broadcast: Mountain West Community
Unfold: Utah State -5.5
Whole 147.5
Utah State is coming off a troublesome street loss in opposition to San Diego State. This can be a good bounce again spot. The Aggies have been dominant at residence and have gained their final three video games at Dee Glen Smith Spectrum by 20+ factors.
The Wolf Pack misplaced its final three street video games by margins of 34, 5 and 12.
I don’t assume Nevada can have a solution for Utah State large Nice Osobor. Utah State defends the perimeter nicely. Take Utah State to cowl this recreation with out a sweat.
The choose: Utah State -5.5
Boise State @ Colorado State
Tip off: 9 p.m. EST
Broadcast: Mountain West Community
Unfold: Colorado State -5.5
Whole: 139.5
It’s a disgrace this recreation won’t be broadcasted on nationwide television. The Mountain West has develop into of the premier conferences in school basketball this yr. These two groups are confidently within the event subject.
Colorado State was the convention darling within the non-conference. The Rams gained their first 9 video games with wins over Colorado, Washington and Creighton within the course of. They’re simply 5-4 in convention play, which reflective of the Mountain West’s depth.
Boise State has been the very best street group within the convention. They’re unbeaten on the street in league play and gained at New Mexico final week. They play position-less basketball and are very versatile all through the lineup. They rank twelfth within the nation in 3-point protection. They are going to give points for CSU’s offense.
I believe Boise is the higher constructed roster. Colorado State is regressing again to their imply. This Boise St group is previous, powerful and self-discipline. Giving them 5.5 factors is an excessive amount of right here.
The choose: Boise State +5.5
Saint Mary’s @ Pacific
Tip off 11 p.m. EST
Broadcast: ESPN2
Unfold: Pacific +21.5
Whole 129.5
The Gaels are coming off their largest win of the yr on the Kennel by beating Gonzaga by two. Now they should get motivated for a recreation in opposition to a Pacific group who’s winless within the WCC. The Tigers have been taking part in higher over their final three video games. They held a halftime lead in opposition to Gonzaga. They solely misplaced by six to San Francisco.
Pacific solely scored 28 factors of their final matchup in opposition to Saint Mary’s, a 48-point loss. I believe the spot favors Pacific right here. Saint Mary’s has began out sluggish whereas taking part in inferior opponents within the league. Whereas it could be ugly to observe at occasions, Pacific will cowl this large quantity.
The choose: Pacific +21.5
