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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: Minnesota (ML), Belmont (-7.5) (Tipico Sportsbook)
Odds: +122
Leg 1: Purdue at Minnesota (ML)
Waxed. Tattooed. Embarrassed. The last time Minnesota exchanged pleasantries against Purdue in West Lafayette, it brought a largely lifeless effort (81-62 L). The Gophers, though, are living a double life. At home, they’ve displayed the attributes of a single-digit seed. Away, however, they would probably get owned by a team composed of drunken Tom Bradys. Their splits are quite eye opening (H: 1.121 pts/poss off, 0.905 def; A: 1.074/1.002). Inside The Barn, Richard Pitino’s cows should yield measurable milk in a resume-building rematch. For that to occur, Liam Robbins and Brandon Johnson must dodge whistles and consistently block out. In the first matchup, Purdue demoralized Minny on the offensive glass, recording 17 second chances. Trevion Williams and Zach Edey seriously crash the boards. If Marcus Carr and Johnson wrist-snap a few threes, the Gophers have an excellent shot to score the victory. Recall in the first tilt, they were a combined 0-for-7 from three. Throw in the Boilers’ propensity for turnovers (18.9% in B1G) and Goldy should grab its fourth, and much-needed, Quadrant 1 win.
Leg 2: Eastern Kentucky at Belmont (-7.5)
As mainstream college hoops pundits continue to spin in-depth columns about the ongoing blue-blood carnage (Cry me a damn river, Duke, UNC and Kentucky faithful), a sleeping giant from Nashville with Cinderella potential continues to record platinum hits in the minimally heralded Ohio Valley Conference — Belmont. Currently riding a 17-game win streak, the “other Bruins” have morphed into one of the game’s premier covering machines. Presently 15-6 ATS on standard lines, Belmont is a near auto-bet every time it storms the floor. Starting Thursday, the OVC pacesetter begins its run through the gauntlet. With matchups against EKU and second-place Morehead St., it’s untarnished record will be challenged. In their first test, expect the Bruins to pass with flying colors. The Colonels, middle of the road in most league defensive categories, are highly reliant on coaxing turnovers, a tall task against a Belmont team that typically shackles the pumpkin (15.8 TO%). To hang, they will need to blitz the opposition from three early and often. In league action, 39.3% of EKU’s points come from moneyballs. Overall, Casey Alexander’s club possesses too much versatility for the Colonels to handle. Attempting to contain the smooth post moves of Nick Muszynski along with the aerial accuracy of Ben Smith and Luke Sheppard are difficult marching orders. Belmont, netting 1.197 points per possession in the OVC, is simply too efficient.
Season record: 19-25
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