MLB Best Bets – Free (Wednesday 7/24)
Josh Gross
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: Texas -8.5, Alabama ML (Tipico)
Odds: +157
Leg 1: Iowa St. at Texas (-8.5)
The last time Bevo took the court, inside Phog Allen Fieldhouse, it jolted Kansas with a high-voltage cattle prod. It was the first time in the Shaka Smart era UT triumphed over Bill Self’s club and it did so in resounding fashion. The ‘Horns length, athleticism and high-flying transition dunks twisted Jayhawks defenders in knots, a likely future common theme for most Big 12 adversaries. Jericho Sims and Kai Jones’ inside domination combined with the marksmanship of Courtney Ramey and Matt Coleman are extremely problematic for a Cyclones team incapable of uprooting a sapling on defense. Evidenced by their No. 307 standing in defensive rebounding percentage and 55.9% two-point percentage allowed in conference action, they’re completely outmatched. Toss in the ‘Horns’ elite guarding ability (No. 4 nationally in D efficiency) and Iowa St.’s struggles putting shots through the cylinder (0.90 pts/poss in Big 12 play) and a sweatless cover becomes clear as day.
Leg 2: Florida at Alabama (ML)
The Crimson Tide, fresh off an unexpected takedown of previously unblemished Tennessee in Knoxville, are aiming to turn the Gators into luggage. Odds are favorable that occurs. ‘Bama, which tosses up a three on an absurd 47.3% of its possessions, is starting to heat up from distance. Over their last pair of contests, Nate Oats’ bunch converted 38.6 percent on treys. In those matchups, versus Ole Miss and the Vols, they also clamped down defensively, surrendering only 0.86 points per possession. Florida’s forgiving perimeter defense (No. 257 in 3PT% D) places the Tide in an advantageous position. Stand tall in the post, prevent easy transition buckets, which Florida thrives on, and open up the heavens for Jaden Shackelford (36.8 3PT%), John Petty (35.1%) and Jahvon Quinerly (32.4%) and they should secure their second Quad 1 victory in less than a week.
Season record: 2-5
