NCAAB Betting Preview — 12/14/21. College finals week typically means a…
By: Tyson Tucker
Tags: Ncaab, Picks, Gambling, Basketball

College finals week typically means a light slate in the college basketball landscape, this Tuesday would likely fall into that category. Not a ton of marquee matchups on the docket but that has never made us shy away from looking to find some value on the board. A couple over/unders, a first half spread and a potential rate line. Let’s dig into what the board offers today.

Northwestern State @ LSU (-35) | O/U 144.5

LSU currently sits at 9–0 on the 2021 campaign in large part thanks to a lighter schedule and a terrific defense. Currently the #1 scoring defense in college basketball. Regardless of their #48 ranked strength of schedule so far, there is much to be said about the effort Will Wade’s team has given on the defensive end. I don’t foresee 2–8 Northwestern State changing any of that tonight. Laying 35 points leaves to a sweat ridden 40 minutes of basketball. I’ll be spared from that while taking the 1H spread (-18).

NW State is bottom 5 in the country in Opp. PPG. With LSU has only scored over 90 points in one game. LSU 8–1 ATS this year so far and 6–0 ATS at home. I like the prospect of LSU getting out early. Evidenced by LSU only giving up 25.3 1H PPG. And NW State allowing 44.4 1H PPG to their opponents. This could be ugly early in Baton Rouge.

PICK: LSU 1H Spread (-18)

Miami (OH) @ Clemson (-8.5) | O/U 136

The Miami of Ohio RedHawks will travel to Clemson, South Carolina to tussle with the Tigers tonight. Two middle of the road teams looking to move into the holiday season with a win. For the Clemson Tigers being middle of the road in the ACC doesn’t mean what it used to. The ACC currently has one team ranked in the AP Top 25 and Boston College lost at home to Albany last evening. Nothing inspires a ton of confidence in either squad moving forward. So I’ll look the total.

Points should be out there to be had tonight. Miami scores 74.8 PPG and Clemson trumps them with 75.2 PPG of their own. Neither team is great defensively. Clemson is #111 in OPP PPG, and Miami is even worse coming in at #174 in OPP PPG. Clemson themselves is 7–3 to the over. They laced em up against the #120, #233, #337 power ranked teams at Home and have given up 70, 68, and 59 points. Expect points to be scored in Clemson tonight.

Pick: OVER 136

Santa Clara @ Boise State (-7.5) | O/U 136.5

A west coast clash will take place in Boise tonight between two over .500 teams who will look to compete in their respective conferences. Neither team has been overly tested, as neither of them have seen a top 50 opponent. Santa Clara has only played one true road game and it was a 60–72 loss to Cal. I’d look to know more about these teams before being too confident with 7.5 points either way. So, I’ll look to the total.

Boise State is the #24th ranked scoring defense in college basketball so far this season. On the offensive side they aren’t lighting up the scoreboard either. They are #194th in PPG in large part thanks to being #275th in pace. Santa Clara does check in #53rd in the country with 77.2 PPG but some rebound stats stir me away from their offensive efficiency and second chances tonight. Santa Clara is #223rd in rebounds PG and Boise State limits opponents rebounding with a #41st ranked OPP rebounds per game. I’ll rock with the under here.

PICK: U 136.5

Alabama (-3.5) @ Memphis O/U 154.5

THIS LINE MAKES NO SENSE. For an Alabama team that is coming off consecutive wins against Gonzaga and Houston and a Memphis team that has lost four in a row, it’s odd to only see Bama laying 3.5 points. So easily should be Alabama, right? When all signs point one way and it seems too good to be true, I’ll go the other way. There isn’t a ton of analysis to be played out here. The line tells me what I need to know. Alabama hasn’t played a true road game yet so I’ll take Memphis and the points and pray.

PICK: Memphis +3.5