Dave Carney 12/15/2020
Overall record: 108-82
How did I get here?: Taking college basketball, which I hadn’t really done much of this year betting just two games before last night. Last night being another example of what NOT to do when betting sports, as I lost my Rutgers vs Maryland bet BIG time. Maryland was (-2) at home and lost by a whopping 14 points (74-60).
That ain’t gonna get it done..
(Remember this is all for entertainment purposes only and by no-means should you make any actual bets based upon my picks! I am NOT a professional anything, let alone a sports gambler.)
**For more info on TOTAL plays, OVER/UNDER, and PLUS/MINUS plays check back through some previous columns for detailed information**
What’s on the table today?: More punishment because I’m a degenerate and I can’t help myself. I’m going back to college basketball with what I think is a solid play in the ACC, #24 Clemson (+2) on the road vs Virginia Tech.
Clemson is a perfect 5-0 to start the season and are one of the best (early) statistical defenses in the country giving up a scant 51.4 points per game. Virginia Tech was recently bumped out of the Top 25 after dropping a game at home to Penn St (75-55), a game in which the Hokies were favored by 5.5 points (-5.5).
Clemson has also been great at covering the spread this season going 4-0 in games which a line was available. Virginia Tech, not so good, going only 2-2 Against The Spread (ATS) with those two losses (ATS) coming in each of their past two games.
Another thing I’m looking at with this matchup is how well Clemson defends against the three which has become increasingly more important in college hoops over the past four seasons. Clemson is holding opponents to just 18.4% shooting from behind the ark, and for a team in Virginia Tech who looks to shoot the three, especially with top scorer Keve Aluma (42.9%), and you can see V-Tech having a problem here.
Finally I want to thank Covers.com for providing the solid betting numbers to back up my pick, and listener Joey Miller who although much too young to participate in legal gambling turned me on to this game. He wanted me to take Virginia Tech, but still…it’s thought that counts (right)?!
- Tigers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games against a team with a winning home record.
- Tigers are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games against a team with a winning straight up record.
- Tigers are 20-8 ATS in their last 28 games following a straight up win.
- Tigers are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games against a team with a winning % above .600.
- Hokies are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 Tuesday games.
- Hokies are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 home games against a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.
- Hokies are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games against a team with a winning straight up record.
- Hokies are 3-11 ATS in their last 14 games following an ATS loss.
