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NCAA Basketball Picks for Wednesday: Hokies to Gobble Up Rams in the Bahamas
We are 23-12 across All Sports with our write-ups so far after a winning Saturday in college football. We shift our focus to NCAA Basketball Wednesday, where we look to improve our 4-4 mark with two afternoon games highlighted by Colorado State vs. Virginia Tech in the Bahamas. The first game tips early at 2:00pm ET.
Illinois Chicago Flames vs. Robert Morris Colonials
Wednesday, November 26th – 2:00pm ET
In a game where both teams have boosted their scoring averages by other means despite modest shooting, we look for that to continue in Moon Township on Wednesday. We are backing the Over when Illinois Chicago visits Robert Morris.
Rebounding and Free Throws Spark Flames
Illinois Chicago is off to a 4-2 start while averaging 82.2 points per game. They have accomplished that despite ranking only 228th nationally in offensive efficiency and 216th in eFG%. If you are wondering how that is possible, it comes down to second chances and hitting a lot of free throws, two factors that we expect to continue for at least one more game here.
The Flames have generated second chances by ranking 44th in the country in offensive rebounding percentage at 37.9%, safely above the national average of 31.3%. We expect that dominance on the offensive glass to continue here with Robert Morris ranked a dismal 338th in defensive rebounding percentage.
As for the free throws, UIC ranks 15th in foul shooting at an excellent 80.3%, but that is only half of the story. Perhaps the more important half is that they know how to draw fouls, ranking 16th in FTA/FGA ratio at 51.8%, meaning they average slightly more free throw attempts per game than field goal attempts!
Colonials Crash Offensive Glass Too
Robert Morris enters this game with a 3-3 mark while averaging 75.8 points per game. However, they resemble Illinois Chicago in that they rank just 228th in offensive efficiency and 216th in eFG%. The similarity does not end there however, as most important to our Over bet here, both squads are very good offensive rebounding teams while being dreadful on the defensive glass.
The Colonials rank higher in offensive rebounding percentage in 26th at a whopping 39.2%, and they should take full advantage of a Flames team that is 320th in defensive rebounding. And even when they are not getting second chances, RMU can improve on their 50.7% 2-point shooting here with IUC ranked 276th in 2-point defense at a generous 56.2%.
The bottom line is that both teams should grab a lot of offensive rebounds given their profiles to compensate for some bad shooting. Add Illinois Chicago hitting a lot of free throws and their weak interior defense and bet on the Over in this spot.
THE PICK
Over 147 +100 at Bet105
Colorado State Rams vs Virginia Tech Hokies
Wednesday, November 26th – 5:00pm ET
We expect Virginia Tech to have a somewhat easier time with Colorado State today than this posted line implies. Thus, we are betting on the Hokies as moderate favorites in the Battle 4 Atlantis Tournament in the Bahamas Wednesday.
Hokies Well-Balanced on Both Ends
Virginia Tech is a perfect 5-0 to begin this season and ranked 56th overall in Kenpom. They also own the best win by either of these teams so far, defeating 59th ranked Providence on a neutral court. And while they are not elite, they have been very solid on both ends of the court through the early going.
They are ranked 51st in offensive efficiency, with their biggest strength being ball protection. That is because they are an excellent fifth in the land in turnover percentage at a mere 10.9% compared to a national average of 17.8%. For good measure, they are an adequate 90th in defensive efficiency at a better than average 102.8 per 100 possessions (national average 107.6).
But perhaps most importantly regarding this game, the Hokies rank 35th in 3-point defense allowing just a 27.5% success rate
Rams Lax Defense Their Downfall
Now, Colorado State is 4-1, but they are ranked noticeably lower than Virginia Tech overall on Kenpom at 82nd and they have faced a ridiculously weak schedule so far. The highest ranked Kenpom team that the Rams have beaten is 203rd ranked Incarnate Word, and they were just upset at home by 263rd ranked Denver on Friday.
Yes, the Rams are elite offensively, ranking 21st in efficiency while leading the nation in eFG% at 63.8%, fueled by ranking fourth in 3-point shooting. But again, they have done that against five cupcakes, and their perimeter shooting should face a challenge here given Virginia Tech’s very good 3-point defense.
Moreover, the Colorado State defense is easily the worst unit for either of these squads, ranking 212th in efficiency and 248th in eFG% allowed. Most critically, the Rams have applied no pressure ranking 349th in turnover percentage forced at just 12.9%, making for a distressing matchup facing a team that excels at protecting the basketball.
Therefore, we feel that the Hokies will be able to run their offense practically unabated in this spot while getting whatever they want. When you also factor in expected 3-point regression from the Colorado State side facing a real defense for the first time, we are giving the points with Virginian Tech.
THE PICK
Virginia Tech -4.5 -106 at Bet105
There is always a chance that we could have more plays later, so make sure to keep checking the NCAAB Picks thread for additions.
We are 23-12 across All Sports with our write-ups so far after a winning Saturday in college football. We shift our focus to NCAA Basketball Wednesday, where we look to improve our 4-4 mark with two afternoon games highlighted by Colorado State vs. Virginia Tech in the Bahamas. The first game tips early at 2:00pm ET.
Illinois Chicago Flames vs. Robert Morris Colonials
Wednesday, November 26th – 2:00pm ET
In a game where both teams have boosted their scoring averages by other means despite modest shooting, we look for that to continue in Moon Township on Wednesday. We are backing the Over when Illinois Chicago visits Robert Morris.
Rebounding and Free Throws Spark Flames
Illinois Chicago is off to a 4-2 start while averaging 82.2 points per game. They have accomplished that despite ranking only 228th nationally in offensive efficiency and 216th in eFG%. If you are wondering how that is possible, it comes down to second chances and hitting a lot of free throws, two factors that we expect to continue for at least one more game here.
The Flames have generated second chances by ranking 44th in the country in offensive rebounding percentage at 37.9%, safely above the national average of 31.3%. We expect that dominance on the offensive glass to continue here with Robert Morris ranked a dismal 338th in defensive rebounding percentage.
As for the free throws, UIC ranks 15th in foul shooting at an excellent 80.3%, but that is only half of the story. Perhaps the more important half is that they know how to draw fouls, ranking 16th in FTA/FGA ratio at 51.8%, meaning they average slightly more free throw attempts per game than field goal attempts!
Colonials Crash Offensive Glass Too
Robert Morris enters this game with a 3-3 mark while averaging 75.8 points per game. However, they resemble Illinois Chicago in that they rank just 228th in offensive efficiency and 216th in eFG%. The similarity does not end there however, as most important to our Over bet here, both squads are very good offensive rebounding teams while being dreadful on the defensive glass.
The Colonials rank higher in offensive rebounding percentage in 26th at a whopping 39.2%, and they should take full advantage of a Flames team that is 320th in defensive rebounding. And even when they are not getting second chances, RMU can improve on their 50.7% 2-point shooting here with IUC ranked 276th in 2-point defense at a generous 56.2%.
The bottom line is that both teams should grab a lot of offensive rebounds given their profiles to compensate for some bad shooting. Add Illinois Chicago hitting a lot of free throws and their weak interior defense and bet on the Over in this spot.
THE PICK
Over 147 +100 at Bet105
Colorado State Rams vs Virginia Tech Hokies
Wednesday, November 26th – 5:00pm ET
We expect Virginia Tech to have a somewhat easier time with Colorado State today than this posted line implies. Thus, we are betting on the Hokies as moderate favorites in the Battle 4 Atlantis Tournament in the Bahamas Wednesday.
Hokies Well-Balanced on Both Ends
Virginia Tech is a perfect 5-0 to begin this season and ranked 56th overall in Kenpom. They also own the best win by either of these teams so far, defeating 59th ranked Providence on a neutral court. And while they are not elite, they have been very solid on both ends of the court through the early going.
They are ranked 51st in offensive efficiency, with their biggest strength being ball protection. That is because they are an excellent fifth in the land in turnover percentage at a mere 10.9% compared to a national average of 17.8%. For good measure, they are an adequate 90th in defensive efficiency at a better than average 102.8 per 100 possessions (national average 107.6).
But perhaps most importantly regarding this game, the Hokies rank 35th in 3-point defense allowing just a 27.5% success rate
Rams Lax Defense Their Downfall
Now, Colorado State is 4-1, but they are ranked noticeably lower than Virginia Tech overall on Kenpom at 82nd and they have faced a ridiculously weak schedule so far. The highest ranked Kenpom team that the Rams have beaten is 203rd ranked Incarnate Word, and they were just upset at home by 263rd ranked Denver on Friday.
Yes, the Rams are elite offensively, ranking 21st in efficiency while leading the nation in eFG% at 63.8%, fueled by ranking fourth in 3-point shooting. But again, they have done that against five cupcakes, and their perimeter shooting should face a challenge here given Virginia Tech’s very good 3-point defense.
Moreover, the Colorado State defense is easily the worst unit for either of these squads, ranking 212th in efficiency and 248th in eFG% allowed. Most critically, the Rams have applied no pressure ranking 349th in turnover percentage forced at just 12.9%, making for a distressing matchup facing a team that excels at protecting the basketball.
Therefore, we feel that the Hokies will be able to run their offense practically unabated in this spot while getting whatever they want. When you also factor in expected 3-point regression from the Colorado State side facing a real defense for the first time, we are giving the points with Virginian Tech.
THE PICK
Virginia Tech -4.5 -106 at Bet105
There is always a chance that we could have more plays later, so make sure to keep checking the NCAAB Picks thread for additions.
