NCAAB · 1 year ago

5 Best Bets for College Basketball Wednesday: Angles Galore!

David Connelly

Host · Writer

Boise State (+11) @ New Mexico
It's scary to be fading a New Mexico team that just put together perhaps the best performance by a Mountain West team this season in a thrashing of Nevada, but somebody has to do it. Boise State should not be getting double-digits against anybody in this conference, and there is enough talent on this roster to hang around and compete, even in a hostile road environment. The MWC has continued to surprise us all season long, and you shouldn't be shocked if the Broncos make this one closer than expected.
Purdue (-13.5) vs. Northwestern
It's a rare subjective spot here, but we'll take Purdue in a total revenge spot at home. The Boilermakers looked like world-beaters until Northwestern had something to say about it last month, pulling off the upset in overtime in their Big Ten opener. We don't see that result replicating itself in a packed Mackey Arena, where Purdue will likely look to make a statement and get some revenge against the Wildcats. Lay the points with one of the sport's most dominant teams.
St. John's (+1.5) @ Xavier
You start to wonder how a team may react to what happened to Xavier on Sunday. The Musketeers were utterly embarrassed in Hartford, falling 99-56 in a game that was never a game. As for the Johnnies, they come off an impressive home stand against a tough Villanova team, where they hammered them in by 20 and held them to just 50 points. If you're Xavier and you can't get over the hump of competing with good teams all season long, you have to think they run out of gas at some point. Tonight could be that night. Roll with St. John's here.
Belmont (+8.5) vs. Indiana State
Indiana State is the best mid-major team in America, but the MVC is a brutal conference that is deeper than most realize. Belmont, a 5-5, middle-of-the-road MVC team that can bring it on any night, is the best example of how deep the league can be. Their home victory over Drake is a shining example of that, as is their dominance at home. The only reason the Bruins have fallen out of grace with metrics is because three of their previous five games were on the road, where they dropped all three. This team may not be able to beat the Sycamores in a massive spot, but they should be able to compete and potentially keep things within the number.
Kentucky (-5.5) vs. Florida
Florida feels similar to Xavier in that they genuinely cannot step up when it matters most. Despite being a combined 14-0 in Quads 2 through 4 this season, the Gators are a dreadful 0-6 in Quad 1 so far this season. When opportunity comes knocking, Florida is never home. Wednesday night is another one of those opportunities at Rupp Arena against one of the elites in the SEC, and we haven't seen enough to believe that Florida will be able to hang around in this one. While they did give the Wildcats all they could handle in Gainesville earlier this month, a trip to Lexington is gravy. Back Kentucky to follow through here.
Boise State (+11) @ New Mexico
It's scary to be fading a New Mexico team that just put together perhaps the best performance by a Mountain West team this season in a thrashing of Nevada, but somebody has to do it. Boise State should not be getting double-digits against anybody in this conference, and there is enough talent on this roster to hang around and compete, even in a hostile road environment. The MWC has continued to surprise us all season long, and you shouldn't be shocked if the Broncos make this one closer than expected.
Purdue (-13.5) vs. Northwestern
It's a rare subjective spot here, but we'll take Purdue in a total revenge spot at home. The Boilermakers looked like world-beaters until Northwestern had something to say about it last month, pulling off the upset in overtime in their Big Ten opener. We don't see that result replicating itself in a packed Mackey Arena, where Purdue will likely look to make a statement and get some revenge against the Wildcats. Lay the points with one of the sport's most dominant teams.