Welcome to another edition of Cap’n Kielar’s Best Bets! I started off well with yesterday’s picks, going 3-2. Now let’s dive into tonight’s best bets, as we look at the college basketball slate.
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South Carolina vs. Alabama (-7.0)
Alabama has won 11 of their last 13 games. The only two losses came against Missouri, by three points, and Oklahoma, by five points. Both of those teams are ranked, while the Crimson Tide have not played down to unranked competition. Of their 17 games against unranked opponents, they have gone 14-3 with around a plus 12 point differential. South Carolina has lost five of its last seven by an average margin of 13 points. Jaden Shackelford leads Alabama with 13.9 points per game this season.
Texas Tech vs. West Virginia (+6.0)
These two teams met nearly two weeks ago on January 25 and West Virginia held onto win 88-87 win. West Virginia has won two of three since then, with two straight wins over Iowa State and Kansas. Texas Tech has won three in a row, over LSU, Oklahoma, and Kansas State since that matchup. Not to say West Virginia will win this game, but it looks to be another tight matchup as they should cover the spread. Four of their five losses have come by five points or less. Miles McBride leads the Mountaineers with 15.8 PPG while Derek Culver leads them with 10.3 rebounds per game.
Butler vs. St. John’s (+3.0)
St. John’s has won six games in a row, and seven of eight, which included handing Villanova their second loss. Their first of those seven wins over that stretch was a 12 point victory over this same Butler team. Butler has lost three of four and four of seven, dating back to that matchup. This game will be closer than the last game, but St. John’s is a much better team right now and should come out on top. Julian Champagnie leads the Red Storm in PPG (19.7) and RPG (7.3).
Auburn vs. Vanderbilt Under 158.5
Vanderbilt is allowing 74.4 PPG while Auburn is scoring 79.1 PPG. Auburn has surrendered 76.1 PPG while Vanderbilt has scored 73.7 PPG. In 11 of Vanderbilt’s last 13 games, the total has been hit, while the under has been hit in four of Auburn’s last five games. This is a tough one to call, but 158.5 is a large number and it doesn’t seem like either team will be able to score as much in this one.
Kentucky (-2.0) vs. Arkansas
Don’t let their records fool you. Arkansas has struggled against quality opponents this season and on the road. While Kentucky hasn’t played well this season and will be missing the NCAA tournament, they still have the talent in the room. The Razorbacks started out 10-0 but have gone just 4-5 in the last nine against much tougher competition. Kentucky has shown flashes this season but they have not been able to close games out. Let’s just say something gives here and Kentucky finally closes a game out to take this one at home.
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