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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: Boise St. ML, Dayton -2.5 (Tipico Sportsbook)
Odds: +133
Leg 1: Boise St. (ML) at Nevada
Those who are not strangers to this column know the infatuation a certain balding betting jackass has for the Broncos. They’re an unusual mid-major, equipped with length, athleticism, depth and a multitude of dudes wired to score. Boise’s only stumble in MWC action came against a hot shooting Colorado St. club in Fort Collins. It was an anomalous performance, one filled with head-slapping mistakes, horrid shot selection and absent defensive rotations. The Broncos, terrifically balanced, are No. 1 in adjusted offensive efficiency and No. 2 in adjusted defensive efficiency in conference play. Nevada’s suboptimal efforts on the glass — Boise generates a second chance on 31.0% of its MWC possessions — should lead to clean up opportunities for the opposition. The Wolf Pack’s aptness for fouling is also problematic. The Broncos, who convert 74.5% at the charity stripe, typically pile up the points on freebies. In addition, Steve Alford’s bunch isn’t the sharpest from outside (32.3% 3PT%). To hang tough, Zane Meeks, Desmond Camberidge and Grant Sherfield will have to flame from three. Bottom line, Boise, even when bringing its ‘B’ game, is the far superior team.
Leg 2: George Mason at Dayton (-2.5)
What a difference a year makes. Dayton — at this point last season on the fast track toward a No. 1 seed and a likely Final Four run — are a shell of that squad. Middling at 6-4 in a mediocre Atlantic 10 it will unquestionably need a storied conference tournament run to earn a ticket to the dance. Often unpredictable, evidenced in tough-to-swallow losses to Fordham and LaSalle, pinpointing what the Flyers will do night-in and night-out is anyone’s best guess, but they should keep Mason at arm’s length. The Patriots are No. 10 in offensive efficiency and No. 9 in defensive efficiency in league play. Reliant and reliable from three shooting 34.9%, they will be challenged early and often against a UD defense that has surrendered just 30.1% along the perimeter. Ultimately if Jalen Crutcher, Ibi Watson and Mustapha Amzil — all shoot at least 38% on triples — open up the heavens and rain buckets from distance and the Flyers wipe the offensive glass, they should coast to an easy cover. Recall Dayton won the first matchup 74-65 in early January, drilling 12 treys while holding Mason to only 1.03 points per possession. Break out the brooms? A season sweep is likely.
Season record: 16-21
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