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: Oregon St. (+16.5), Gonzaga (-24.5) (Tipico Sportsbook)
Odds: +131
Leg 1: Oregon St. (+16.5) at USC
Don’t look now, but the Beavers, presumably slapping their tails, are making some serious noise in the Pac-12. Long expected to be dungeon dwellers in the league, Wayne Tinkle’s club ripped off three consecutive wins against Arizona St., USC and undermanned Oregon. Sitting at 4-3 in the league, they’re no longer viewed as instantly beatable. In the first clash between the conference rivals, OSU matched the Trojans board for board, protected the basketball (8 TOs), netting 40.0% from three and cashed in at the free-throw line (12-14). It will need a similar effort to hang closely in the rematch, but its clamping perimeter defense (31.9% 3PT% allowed) and whistle-drawing abilities suggest what occurred in Corvallis wasn’t an anomaly. Evan and Isaiah Mobley are a handful in the post, but if Jarod Lucas (40.9% 3PT%), Maruice Calloo (38.9%) and Zach Reichle (34.1%) can unload from outside, a blowout should be prevented.
Leg 2: Gonzaga (-24.5) at San Diego
Baylor or Gonzaga? It’s an unanswerable question, one that will hopefully be properly addressed in the title game of the NCAA Tournament. As is usually the case this time each year, the ‘Zags are running roughshod through inferior WCC opponents. Hardly contested, they have too much size, athleticism and depth, completely outclassing everyone in the league. In six contests, they’ve emerged victorious by an average margin of 25.5 points per game. The blend of Jalen Suggs’ all-word skills, Drew Timme’s glass-wiping efficiency and Corey Kispert’s marksmanship is beautiful to watch. It’s why Gonzaga ranks No. 2 in the nation in adjusted offensive efficiency, scoring a massive 1.242 points per possession. Also relentless on defense giving up a mere 0.903 points per possession, it’s a nightmare for any opponent. The Toreros, dead last in three-point percentage offense and defense in the WCC, are sure to be overwhelmed. You always have to worry about garbage time buckets, but laying the 24.5 isn’t amateur action.
Season record: 11-18
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