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Rocky Sheridan
NCAAB
5* North Carolina -6
5* Richmond -9
5* La Tech -1
NBA
5* Orlando/Oklahoma City Over 203
NCAAB
5* North Carolina -6
5* Richmond -9
5* La Tech -1
NBA
5* Orlando/Oklahoma City Over 203
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Jeff Benton 2nd biggest college hoops release of the season ...
25 Dime college hoops selection on West Virginia minus the points at home against Proviaence. The Mountaineers are a 9½-point favorite depending on where you look. Even though I think West Virginia will roll in this game, it’s still imprortant that you always shop around and get the best of the number to prodect your investment.
WEST VIRGINIA
Is it dangerous to lay this kind of big price in a conference game with a team that has split its last four games, has just one double-digit win since Dec. 7 (an 11-point home victory over Cleveland State) and whose only other blowout victories this year have come against Oakland, Davidson, VMI, American University and Robert Morris?
Normally, I would say yes, quite dangerous … until you see how awful Providence’s defense has been on the highway. In five games away from home, the Friars have given up 84 points to LaSalle (loss), 77 to Wyoming (win), 88 to Boston College (loss), 81 to Syracuse (loss) and 85 to Rutgers (loss). Not only is Providence giving up 84.7 ppg on the highway, but opponents are shooting 51.5 percent overall and 44.4 percent from beyond the arc. Offeasively, the Friars are making just 36.2 percent of their shots (29.4 percent from three-point land) as a visitor.
Saturday’s ugly 85-72 loss at pathetic Rutgers – its fourth loss in a row since the start of Big East play –encapsulated Providence’s road struggles, as they got outshot 54.4 percent to 30.8 percent and were outrebounded 36-32 (27-18 on the defensive glass).
Now comprare what the Friars have done on the road to what West Virginia has done at home. Yes, the Mountaineers got manhandled in their most recent game in Morgantown (81-71 loss to St. John’s), but still they’re averaging 79.2 points on 48 percent shooting at home while yielding just 63.3 points and 39.1 percent shooting (including only 26 percent from beyond the arc).
If those stats aren’t reason enough to love West Virginia in this spot, this stat should be: The Mountaineers are riding a six-game series winning strdak against Providence and they’ve won nine of the last 10 meetings. Some of the scores: 88-74 (last year’s lone meeting at Providence), 86-59, 80-53, 77-65, 92-79, 64-48 and 82-59. Just one rout after another!
Lay the chalk, and lay it with total confidence, as the Mountaineers pile on the points in a 90-71 victory.Comment
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