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: Loyola-Chicago (ML), Ohio St. (-2.5) (Tipico Sportsbook)
Odds: +126
Leg 1: Loyola-Chicago (ML) at Drake
Abandon “Never fade the Drake?” Evans, you heathen. For loyal listeners of Fade The Noise on SiriusXM’s fantasy channel (87), it’s a phrase constantly uttered, at high volume, on air. At 15-3 ATS on the season, the Bulldogs have awarded backers diamond-studded collars. Their glass-crashing energy (32.3 OR% No. 1 in MVC) spearheaded by Darnell Brodie and Tremell Murphy combined with their sharp perimeter shooting — Murphy and DJ Wilkins both shoot at least 38% — has the 'Dogs nearly unblemished on the season. However, potentially without the services of glue guy Shanquan Hemphill (ankle) and facing a ferocious Ramblers D (No. 8 nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency), following the Drake could be a profitless endeavor. Brodie versus Cameron Krutwig, who recently joined the likes of Oscar Robertson, Hersey Hawkins and Larry Bird in the 1500-800-300 Valley club, is the matchup to watch. Give the advantage to the Rambler. Toss in the D-stretching accuracy of Lucas Williamson (35.7 3PT%), Keith Clemons (46.5%) and Branden Norris (38.5%) and Loyola covers for the eighth time in 11 games.
Leg 2: Indiana at Ohio St. (-2.5)
Gonzaga and Baylor may be the most voluptuous Instagram models of college basketball, but the unheralded Buckeyes are also quite the looker. Currently projected as a No. 1 seed for the NCAA Tournament, Chis Holtman’s crew has depth, balance and considerable swagger. The soft around-the-rim touch of E.J. Liddell combined with Duane Washington’s versatility and the Swiss Army Knife skills of Kyle Young makes Ohio St. difficult to match up with. Indiana’s Trayce Jackson-Davis should operate effectively in the post against an OSU D conceding 49.6% inside the arc in Big Ten action. However, it’s IU’s highly susceptibility along the perimeter that gives the host team the edge. In Big Ten play, the Hoosiers are allowing a league-worst 37.2% along the arc. Archie Miller and Co. did sweep the regular season against Iowa, but the Hawkeyes’ free-flowing style and questionable effort on defense boosted Indiana’s confidence. In a more halfcourt-oriented game, bank on the Buckeyes landing multiple body blows en route to their eighth cover in their last 10 games.
Season record: 20-26
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