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: Loyola-Chicago (ML), Oral Roberts (+18.5) (Tipico Sportsbook)
Odds: +128
Leg 1: Loyola-Chicago (ML) vs. Georgia Tech
COVID-19 is a pesky and unfazed troll. Virginia, Kansas and Oklahoma have all recently dealt with virus overloads, setbacks that altered travel, practice and game plans. Georgia Tech, the latest to get hit with the sinister bug, will be without the ACC Player of the Year Moses Wright, a sensational two-way player who is not only a phenomenal scorer, but also the school’s stiffest defender. The downgrade from the starting big man to backups Rodney Howard and Khalid Moore is equivalent to trading in a perfectly cooked filet mignon at a 4-star Zagat restaurant for a nearly expired chain grocery store steak. The Ramblers, the No. 1 team in the nation in adjusted defensive efficiency, should easily clip the Jackets. Josh Pastner is a mastermind when it comes to mixing up defensive looks, but opponents often bombarded his squad from outside. Tech currently ranks No. 307 in three-point percentage defense. Lucas Williamson, Braden Norris, Aher Uguak and Keith Clemons could bury it in triples. Toss in Cameron Krutwig’s presumed success without Wright challenging shots in the post and a path to victory is quite buyable. Keep in mind, the mustachioed big man, one of the most decorated players in Missouri Valley history, ranks No. 4 in KenPom’s Player of the Year race.
Leg 2: Oral Roberts (+18.5) vs. Ohio St.
The antithesis of Andy Dalton in Chicago, the Buckeyes are feeling nothing but love. Big Ten zealots are all aboard the bandwagon, often advancing Ohio St. into the Final Four of their brackets. Maybe it was the valiant effort displayed against Illinois in the Big Ten Tourney title game or analytics trumpeters who believe this team has the goods to make a stirring run. Whatever the motivation, Ohio St. will unquestionably be difficult to eliminate. Oral Roberts, however, is a Cinderella candidate with the necessary sharpshooters to prevent a blowout. The Fighting Evangelicals feature the nation’s leading scorer in Max Abmas and two additional gunners who tickle the twine at a 40%-plus clip from outside. In fact, the fast-paced Golden Eagles jack a triple on 46.6% of their possessions. They definitely aren’t shy. Yes, they’re undersized and are generally dreadful defensively (No. 285 in adjusted defensive efficiency), but also effective at the free-throw line (82.6%), they should kick in the back door late. Remember, ORU dropped games against Wichita St., Oklahoma St., Oklahoma and Arkansas, all tournament teams, by 14 points or less. It’s highly unlikely they’ll be embarrassed.
Season record: 33-38
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