Big Noise Tipico CBB parlay of the day (Feb. 26)

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 (-4.5), Penn St. (+4.5) (Tipico Sportsbook)

Odds: +118

Leg 1: Drake (-4.5) at Bradley

NEVER. FADE. THE. DRAKE. Loyal readers know it’s a phrase that usually pays. The Bulldogs, 19-4 ATS on standard lines this season, continue to lift a leg on oddsmakers. Simply put, it’s a volcanic heater. Against a 6-12 Bradley squad, don’t expect Drake to suddenly transform into an extinct caldera. Squarely on the bubble due to a lack of quality opponents and a shaky 250-plus SOS, Darian DaVries’ club must win out to solidify their standing in the eyes of the Selection Committee. They’ve fully adjusted to life without Tank Hemphill. Joseph Yesufu has morphed into an unstoppable bucket getter. Over his last four games, he’s totaled 88 points, netting an unreal 14-for-23 from deep. Yesufu and his cohorts should operate uninhibitedly against a Braves team that ranks No. 280 in adjusted defensive efficiency this month. More encouraging for the visitors, they slot in at No. 330 on the season in three-point percentage D. With three key players out due to suspension — Elijah Childs, Terry Nolan and Dany Kingsby — Drake should shift into high gear from start to finish.

Leg 2: Purdue at Penn St. (+4.5)

When it comes to predictive analytics, Penn St. is a fawned-over darling. The computer metrics think the Nittany Lions are an eyeball-popping smokeshow with the moves to bring cuddle-seeking individuals to their knees. Currently top-50 in KenPom, Penn St. is one of the greatest under .500 squads in the analytics era. In their first clash, in mid-January, PSU grabbed an absurd 23 offensive rebounds, yet, due to frigid across-the-board shooting (0.97 pts/poss, 39.5 2PT%, 25.6 3PT%), inexplicably lost by eight points. John Harrar will again need to be highly active on the glass and defensively for the home team to spring the upset. Trevion Williams and Zach Edey are tenacious around the tin, witnessed in Purdue’s 54.8 two-point percentage tally this month. Even if the duo performs at a blistering pace, Penn St. can emerge victorious by forcing turnovers, which it’s done at a 20.0% opponent possession clip in conference play, and swishing triples. Keep in mind 41.0% of Nittany Lions hoists come from beyond the arc. Gut says Myeron Jones (40.3 3PT%), Myles Dread (36.2%), Jamari Wheeler (37.1%) and, yes, even brick-laying Seth Lundy (30.8%) rise to the occasion. PSU, 8-5 ATS as an underdog this season, pushes Purdue to the limit.

Season record: 25-32

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