Shoot The Rock – Betting College Basketball for February 7-8

College Basketball Betting Preview: February 7-8 on Gamblers World

Hot Teams with Strong Betting Potential

Creighton – 10-1 Run and 10-0-1 ATS

After a wobbly start due to injury and fitting in new pieces with a lack of quality three-point shooting, Creighton has done an about-face. With losses to Alabama and Georgetown in mid-December, the Bluejays were 7-5. Home wins over Villanova and St. John’s, restored Creighton’s confidence. The offense became more fluid with teammates better understanding what Greg McDermott wanted, which helped the offense. With this push, Creighton has moved into second place in the Big East. With Bluejays peaking, can they keep it going into mid-March?

Texas Tech – 9-1 Run – 7-3 ATS

The Red Raiders were believed to be a middle-of-the-pack team in the Big 12 by most experts, including the oddsmakers who had them #7 at 2500-1. Maybe Texas Tech will end there by the end of the regular season but it doesn’t appear so. The Red Raiders are on a major heater in the rugged Big 12, with a defense permitting 65.1 PPG at only 41% shooting percentage allowed. On offense, this crew has as many scoring options as the 2019 squad that lost in the national championship in overtime to Virginia. The schedule still has trips to Kansas and Arizona and a home game with Houston, but it’s hard not to like this Texas Tech outfit.

St. Mary’s – 10-1 Run – 8-3 ATS

St. Mary’s was again the second pick in the West Coast behind Gonzaga. It’s not like they weren’t supposed to be a quality outfit. Losses to Boise State and Utah State once again gave the impression the Gaels would win a significant number of games but come up short in the WCC tourney and be another quick exit in the Big Dance. However, this club found they are better offensively compared to the past and with their still physical defense, if they can continue improving, a Sweet 16 berth is possible.

Drake – 9-0 Run – 6-3 ATS

Drake had a great season a year ago. After that season, the Bulldogs unsurprisingly lost their head coach and best player (the coach’s son). Drake was still expected in the upper echelon of the Missouri Valley, just not near the top. But these Bulldogs were fighters. Back-to-back conference losses to Murray State and Belmont didn’t bode well. They were staring at a third consecutive setback against the presumed MVC champ Bradley. The Bulldogs shocked the Braves on their home court and haven’t looked back in winning nine in a row. Play on material.

Crazy Trend of the Week!

The ACC, long the benchmark of college basketball, has three teams in the bottom 11 against the spread.

N.C. State 7-15 ATS

North Carolina 7-15-1 ATS

Miami-FL 6-16-1 ATS

Top Weekend Games: Power Ratings are from KenPom

We look at the top matchups for the weekend for ranked teams or best conference matchups and supply the home team with a standard -3 point spread. Not a great weekend for Top 25 matchups. Instead, looked for ranked teams on the road vs non-ranked opponents and added a couple of interesting small conference clashes.

Friday

#12 St. John’s @ #19 Connecticut
Power Rated – St. John’s -1.5

Connecticut can tighten up the Big East race if they knock oof the leader,  St. John’s. In truth, the Johnnies are better but going against the Huskies at Stoors is a big hill to climb.

Saturday

#4 Tennessee @ #8 Oklahoma
Power Rated – Tennessee -9

The Sooners lack the physical strength to compete against Tennessee. Oklahoma stays within reach early, then the Vols’ defense and power in the paint has them pulling away.

#21 Wisconsin @ Iowa
Power Rated – Wisconsin -10

Iowa basketball appears to be dipping. They haven’t played defense in years and now the offense is spotty. This line seems higher than what we’ll see in this rivalry, yet, Wisconsin covering wouldn’t be a stunner.

#24 Michigan @ Indiana
Power Rated – Michigan -6

Indiana at home it’s always possible for an upset. However, Michigan can overwhelm them in the lane offensively and will the Hoosiers be able to respond?

#11 Marquette @ Creighton
Power Rated – Marquette -1

Marquette is still strong, yet, they look wobbly like usual this time of year. Creighton has won eight in a row and surged past the Golden Eagles for second place in the Big East and handles Marquette.

Troy @ Miami-O
Power Rated – Troy -2

Few will notice the MAC and Sun Belt are going head to head on Saturday. Each team is in second place in their respective conferences and KenPom’s number explains the SBC is a stronger conference than the MAC and could win because of their Top 40 scoring defense.

Yale @ Cornell
Power Rated – Yale -5.5

These are the Top 2 squads in the Ivy League with Yale unbeaten and Cornell only one back. For whatever reason, the Big Red is only 6-4 SU at home and Yale can pull this one out.

#6 Florida @ #1 Auburn
Power Rated – Auburn -10

Talk about an awesome battle in the SEC! Again, this line feels high, maybe around -8 for Auburn at best. Nonetheless, Florida’s not showing the previous marksmanship from the perimeter makes them an iffy choice even at a lower number.

#13 Texas Tech @ #20 Arizona
Power Rated – Arizona -1.5

With Iowa State slumping, these are two of the three best in the Big 12. The key appears, can Arizona make enough outside shots, even at home to keep the Red Raiders off balance? A great matchup to close Saturday and Texas Tech winning is more than possible.

Get more College Basketball betting advice from Doug Upstone here and purchase Doug’s Premium picks here.