Big Noise Tipico CBB parlay of the day (Jan. 31)

Multiple times each week, FTN Bets’ resident college basketball junkie, Brad Evans, will attempt to posterize the ‘books with his favorite selections, whether sides, totals, teasers or parlays. As always, fade or follow Brad’s picks — fading is encouraged — that’s up to you.

2-leg alternative line parlay play: Drake -14.5, Washington ML (Tipico Sportsbook)

Odds: +167

Leg 1: Illinois St. at Drake (-14.5)

13-0 ATS. Simmering in Carolina Reaper sauce, the Bulldogs simply cover, and often convincingly. Not even a COVID-19 shutdown slowed them. Currently the pacesetter in the always-competitive Missouri Valley Conference, their spirited effort on both ends has grabbed the attention of the sports betting and general college basketball worlds. DJ Wilkins (50.7% 3PT%) and Roman Penn (41.2%) crush souls with repeated threes. Garrett Strutz and Darnell Brodie, meanwhile, add insult to injury, punishing opponents with high-percentage conversions and second-chance opportunities (30.5% OR% in MVC). Deep, experienced and excellent defensively giving up a stringent 0.920 points per possession in league play, they exude few weaknesses. The Redbirds are truly parakeets across the board. They rank No. 240-plus nationally in offensive and defensive efficiency. Outclassed on the glass and three-dependent (36.5% of points), they should fall flat against a Drake D that’s surrendered just 28.4% from the perimeter. A final margin of victory in the 22- to 26-point range is quite doable.

Leg 2: Washington St. at Washington (ML)

Not long ago, the Huskies Fade was a profitable strategy to employ. Mike Hopkins’ club, discombobulated on offense and overly forgiving on the defensive end, were getting pulverized over and over again. Some pundits argued, and fairly, they were the worst Power Six conference team in the nation. Sitting then at 1-11 and 0-7 in Pac-12 action their wretchedness was practically unmatched. However, the young pups are starting to mature. Home triumphs over Colorado and Utah has the Huskies, shockingly, riding a winning streak. Their defense is still largely permeable, but scoring 1.201 points per possession, offensively, they’ve received an adrenaline shot to the heart. If Jamal Bey and Quade Green continue to sear the nets from three, they should score another W. Washington St., which has given up 34.5% along the arc, will give them every opportunity. The Cougars, mired in a six-game skid, are at or near the bottom in the Pac-12 in eight different offensive categories. Isaac Bonton’s likely return from the flu bolsters their chances to secure the Apple Cup, but even with PG on the floor, Wazzu has floundered terribly. Ride the Washington wave.

Season record: 13-19

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