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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: Notre Dame (+10.5), West Virginia (+9.5) (Tipico Sportsbook)
Odds: +122
Leg 1: Notre Dame (+10.5) at Duke
Well before likely anyone who is reading this was conceived, way back in 1961, North Carolina, Kentucky, Kansas, UCLA and Duke failed to garner enough votes for a spot on the AP poll. Flash forward six decades later and lightning has again struck. Blue-blood programs, once viewed as automatic NCAA Tournament participants, are bleeding out. Though some are more desperate than others (e.g. Kentucky and Duke), it’s mind-blowing to think March could be without multiple storied schools. And I’m 10,000% here for it. The Blue Devils are a disaster, a free-wheeling funhouse for the opposition they are rancid defensively. Through 10 ACC games, Duke ranks at or near the basement in overall adjusted defensive efficiency (1.049), effective field-goal percentage (54.2%), three-point percentage (40.6%) and two-point percentage D (51.1%). Lazy on switches/rotations and an open door on dribble drives, it continues to allow teams to function almost uninhibitedly. Notre Dame, one of the better scoring teams in the country checking in at No. 17 in offensive efficiency and No. 15 in three-point percentage (38.7%), will have little to no trouble creating space to knock down unguarded shots. Coach K and Co. logged a 10-point win in South Bend without standout freshman Jalen Johnson earlier this year. However, horrid defensively since, it’s plausible the rematch is decided by single digits. Fade Duke.
Leg 2: West Virginia (+9.5) at Texas Tech
Alt-lining WVU in its second showdown against Texas Tech is an insurance policy worth taking out. Drake from State Farm would agree. In a memorable down-to-the-wire battle Jan. 25 in Morgantown, Deuce McBride could not be contained. Bob Huggins’ leading scorer recorded 24 points, chipping in seven boards and six assists. His clutch drive and finish in the closing moments pushed WVU over the top. In total, six different Mountaineers reached double figures, a remarkable achievement against an upper-echelon Tech defense. What was even more astonishing, the Red Raiders committed just two TOs, against Press Virginia no less, and still lost. The rematch is sure to be a dandy. It’s unlikely WVU will again net 12-of-19 triples, which means sealing off the glass and defending will be of utmost importance. Chris Beard’s bunch will draw numerous whistles, which the visitors are prone to attract. To offset the freebies, which Tech knocks down at a 77.1% clip, Derek Culver must establish himself in the post. Drain a few treys, which the Mountaineers have done 42.9% of the time in Big 12 play, and they will prevent a lopsided loss.
Season record: 17-24
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